There's value in keeping messages on-hold fresh!

More businesses are seeing the value of seasonal message on-hold productions, which can either contain updated information and music, or can be rotated periodically in order to keep things fresh for their callers on-hold!

On-Hold Messages Can Increase Dental Patient Referrals

Several years ago I did a detailed survey of my customer base, hoping to get a clearer picture of where our new accounts were actually coming from. The results were surprising, and I learned something then that many dentists have known for a long time... REFERRALS ARE KING!

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What's Your On-Hold Threshold?

Here's a question no self-respecting message on-hold producer enjoys asking:
What's your On-Hold Threshold?



Depending on the - let's call it - "atmospheric condition", following is a mathematical formula for calculating your perceived time on-hold...

Where...


o = actual time spent on-hold;


y = negative on-hold atmosphere, such as silence, radio, boring music or lifeless voices;



k = positive sounding, professionally produced custom messages & music on-hold;



AND



! = perceived time on-hold...



o + y = OY!


OR


o + k = OK!

The "Big Five" of a Successful Private Practice

Taking a close look at the structure of a thriving private practice will reveal five basic areas of strength. Once a comprehensive marketing plan is implemented that is focused on these five areas, your path to success will be a lot more sure. And among the avenues for advertising you may have at your disposal a well-written message & music on-hold production offers one of the most cost-effective means for bringing these areas to light.

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Optimistic About Visiting the Optometrist!

If you are an optometrist or ophthalmologist in private practice, you probably know that new patients often approach you with some degree of apprehension. They will ask what may sound like routine questions about products; some may probe a little deeper. But common sense will tell you that the biggest question they have is one that most people won't ask plainly: "Can I trust you with my eyesight?"
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How DARE We Say That?!

Here's a healthy pat on the back for businesses that strive to minimize the wait times of callers on-hold!

How dare a message on-hold production company advocate such considerate behavior?

Positively SCANDALOUS!

Messages On-Hold Improve Your Home-based Business Image

If you own a home-based business, you are no doubt aware that when trying to attract new customers one of the biggest challenges facing you is your business image. Often, owners seek ways to avoid revealing their business location for fear of scaring customers away. The good news is that messages on-hold can help level the playing field with larger businesses!

Just as a professional looking website can put your business in the same arena with much larger companies, quality messages on-hold and voice greetings can convey a Fortune 500-like image to your callers...

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Hold Messages "Do Justice" to Your Law Practice!

More legal practices are taking advantage of the power of messages on-hold than ever before. And knowing what callers to your law firm really want to hear when on-hold can help you secure them as clients. As English essayist Charles Lamb once wrote, “He is no lawyer who cannot take two sides.” To paraphrase Lamb in more modern terms: get inside the head of the opposing side; learn how they think. Then you’ll be more equipped to predict their next move, and to arm yourself with the most effective counter-strategies. No, callers to your law office are NOT your opponents. But having a sense of what they’re anticipating when they dial your number can go a long way toward your success in gaining their business.

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A Little "Fun" On-Hold Can Go a Long Way!

Since music and message on-hold programs began appearing in the 1980’s, more business owners and marketing companies have tapped into the power of this effective communication tool. Back then, only a tiny number of producers were creating an occasional witty message for their clients. While the older media, such as radio, TV and print, and the new kid on the block, the World Wide Web all increased their use of humor in their messages, the realm of “on-hold” has, for the most part “stayed staid”, adhering to a more somber tone in conveying information about products and services to callers on hold. But, that’s changing.

In the last few years, an increasing number of businesses nationwide have been treating their callers on-hold to an occasional chuckle in the form of short skits, dialogues, one-liners, trivia and more. From major airlines to wholesale distributors to small, local businesses, infusing a little comic or trivia-related relief is getting positive response from callers, who not only enjoy the break it provides, but also seem to feel “cozier” doing business with a company that shows it’s genuine side (in a situation that can sometimes be perceived as cold or static).

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Adapters Bring On-Hold Messages to All Businesses

Matching audio adapters to KSU-less (2-line or 4-line) telephones used to be a game of “hit-and-miss”… Not anymore! Now EVERY business can utilize messages on-hold.

As more home-based companies and small shops have recognized the power of reaching out to their callers on-hold, the demand for improved technology has lead to real solutions. Telephone Audio Adapters or Music-On-Hold (MOH) Adapters have been around for a long time. But only in recent years has the steady development of technology become more inclusive of the zillions of phones and mixtures of phones, both corded and cordless one might find in any given small shop, private medical practice or “bedroom-based business”.

Messages On-Hold and Co-op Advertising

Websites do it all the time! So why can’t businesses offset costs by generating sponsorships from the representation of vendors in their on-hold message productions?!

Although on-hold messages predate the explosion of Internet commerce by several years, many companies who play messages on-hold have never even thought about this opportunity. True, it won’t work for every company, or even every type of business. But there are companies taking advantage of sponsorship or co-op advertising programs that, in some cases go well beyond the point of just covering costs, especially when the messages are updated more frequently. Changing messages out on a monthly or quarterly basis allows more vendors or manufacturers to be involved as sponsors. It also allows them more control over content, as well as the ability to target promotional campaigns on new products or to help move existing inventory.