Tuesday, September 14, 2010

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!

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

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.

read the full article at ezinearticles.com

Thursday, July 15, 2010

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?"
read the full article at ezinearticles.com

Friday, July 9, 2010

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...

read the full article at www.ezinearticles.com

Thursday, June 10, 2010

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.

read the full article

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

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).

read the full article