Delivering sales and marketing messages on hold is not a new idea, however it is gaining momentum especially since the economic downturn. Businesses are seeking low cost ways to effectively communicate with customers and prospects, and make the most of every sales opportunity. Sure, you want to avoid putting anyone on hold, but if you must, why not make the most of it? Don't waste that time with boring silence, sleepy elevator music or radio stations that carry someone else's ads! Instead, businesses are realizing that they have a captive audience to whom they can market to, and fill the on hold void by using hold time as an opportunity to "tell and sell."

Furthermore, Face-to-face contact between consumers and businesses has decreased in direct relation to advancement in communication technology. Establishing and maintaining consumer-business relationships is now heavily dependent on great service, including fast turnaround times and quality phone contact. This relationship is so important that 85% of consumers would stop doing business with a company based entirely on poor experience. A further 50% say bad call experiences have partly contributed to the termination of their business relationship. Using Messages On Hold has been proven to reduce caller hang ups by 79%

Music On Hold  and Messages can be used to introduce new products and services to callers on hold, to reinforce awareness of existing offerings, provide information about the company, deliver helpful tips, or to shorten perceived hold times and improve the caller experience.  On Hold Messaging is also used to enhance a company's image. It can also deliver the right type of impression. It can make a small company seem larger and a larger company seem friendlier.

Of course, the use of  music on hold and messages as part of the hold process needs to be accomplished with a high level of professionalism. In order to make sure the on hold messaging is setting the right tone with callers, you need seek the services of a professional on hold messaging vendor. On Hold Inc. has been specializing in the music and on hold message services for over 20 years. We have a complete range of message on hold equipment options for all type of telephone set-ups including regular off-the-shelf phones being used by small/home based businesses. Plus we have seasoned, professional copywriters on staff who can create engaging and compelling on hold message scripts come up with scripts to deliver your marketing message a little more punch. We are a full-service Music On Hold and Message firm to provide all the key components of a professional on hold messaging system.

Today the media choices available to market your business are staggering.  Every possible medium wants part of your advertising budget.  Your job is to weigh every option and decide which ones are the most cost-effective methods of getting your message to the people interested in your product.  There is however light at the end of the tunnel. It’s’ an effective, time-tested, and proven tool for communicating with your customers and prospects. What is it? Music On Hold and Message Marketing.

If you look closely you’ll discover that successful marketing isn’t measured by the hottest trends or newest fads, whether you tweet or have hundreds of fans. Successful marketing is measured by the positive results. Music On Hold and Message marketing talks directly to current and potential customers and gets their undivided attention while they are on hold with your company.  You simply couldn’t ask for a more captive audience.

The customer or prospect is taking the time to call you. They’re focused, interested, paying attention and willing to trust you. When you place a consumer on-hold you can either improve the overall experience for them or destroy any positive moments they had previously or forthcoming.  Music On Hold and Message Marketing engages callers and is a time-tested and proven source of revenue. Often- times callers contact you about one issue, and end up inquiring about a product or service they heard about from an on hold message.

On Hold Messages is also less expensive than most marketing communications tools. Therefore, you can now afford to promote those services that do not have budgets large enough to warrant costly newspaper ads,  interstate billboards, or television commercials. On Hold Messaging is also more flexible than traditional marketing tools. For example once you’ve printed a direct mail piece or put up a billboard, it’s very expensive to change. On Hold Messages on the other hand, allows you to change messages at a minimal cost, quicker and faster than most other advertising mediums. 

Taking advantage of the time callers spend on hold by providing a music on hold and message program that reinforces and supports the company’s overall marketing message will decrease hang-ups by up to 40%, effectively stretching every dollar spent on marketing and advertising.  Moreover, callers who are responding to advertising or promotions are already receptive to the message.  In fact, they are calling to hear more about the products and services the company has to offer, and 20% of callers surveyed admit they have made a buying decision based on information they heard while on hold.  Music On hold Messaging works, and it can be one of the most potent tools a company has to get the most out of every dollar spent on marketing and advertising.

Customer phone contact with companies is a service encounter that can turn out to be a liability if customers perceive their time on hold as too long or unenjoyable. On Hold Inc has been serving a wide variety of industries for 20 years with flexible on hold message package options to help make the wait - great!!! You can even try it before you buy it with our risk-free on hold system trial offer.

Review: First of all, we love the simplicity of On Hold Inc.’s Website, as well as the company’s social media marketing campaigns and its uber-friendly Web 2.0 style. On Hold Inc. offers custom on-hold messages, on-hold messaging equipment and music on-hold production. Oh and kind of random…a “Virtual Spokesperson” (more about that later).

The company’s “How It Works” page is great and very easy to follow. The steps are easy:

1. Choose from a variety of on-hold messaging packages (i.e. subscriptions for the most part or one-time buy out programs) and on-hold equipment if needed.
2. Enter your information into the Message Xpress online system (or by phone). On Hold Inc. scriptwriters will then create a custom on hold messaging script for your business. Once the script is posted to your online account, you can log in, review and edit to your satisfaction.
3. Listen to samples and choose your professional voice talent and background music.
4. Your on-hold message is produced and delivered.

It’s all very simple and streamlined. Now, the only other thing that we’re trying to figure out is where the Virtual Website Spokesperson fits in. It sort of makes sense…they are a digital media company. Take a look at On Hold Inc.’s Virtual Website Spokesperson demo , it’s actually pretty cool. We definitely like the concept and will be exploring it further in the findmeavoice.com/blog

Pros: Highly intuitive, easy-to-navigate Website; straightforward services and professional scriptwriting; streamlined process; online payment

Cons:  We couldn’t find any! On Hold Inc. is definitely specialized for the on hold message market…