|
Nobody likes to put callers on hold, but in the business world, it happens -- a
lot! A recent study by AT&T found that almost 70%
of business calls are placed on hold. (Don't forget that the time spent transferring
from a receptionist or auto attendant, to an extension or voicemail, counts as on-hold
time, too.)
Most business phone systems have a way to play audio content into the line circuit
while a call is on hold or being transferred. Even if you have a regular telephone,
equipment is available which makes this possible. Since people are naturally receptive
to hearing more about a company they've just called, this presents a valuable marketing
opportunity -- a chance to talk directly to your callers one-on-one -- by playing
entertaining and informative messages to them while they're holding.
Back to top
We know that these can be confusing terms. Most telephone systems provide "normal"
Message On Hold capability, which means that the music and messages
are mixed together, and play across all of your lines simultaneously. Unless you
are running a large call center, you will be dealing with a normal Message On Hold
situation.
Systems which serve larger call centers often feature "dynamic" Message On Hold,
which offers many more options. In such a system, the music and message content
is often stored separately. Stored messages can be assigned to different
"channels", which can be served to different lines (and sometimes can even change
depending on the day of the week or month, or the time of day). For example, in
the case of a banking call center, one set of messages could be played for consumers,
while a different set of messages could be played for commercial customers, based
on which lines serve these types of calls. If you are planning to implement
Message On Hold for a dynamic system like this, please
contact us first to discuss your system's capabilities, and we'd be
happy to provide a customized quote.
Contact Us
Back to top
 A customized Message On Hold "program" consists of
several promotional messages about your business, each from 30
to 45 seconds in length. These messages play consecutively, in an endless loop,
over a background of music.
First, we gather information about your business. This can be done over the telephone,
or by completing an online form. Your web site, brochures, and other printed materials
are very helpful, too. From this, one of our professional copywriters will then
prepare a fully customized Message On Hold script.
You may make as many changes to this script as you like. Changes can be submitted
via email or telephone. Once approved by you, your script will be scheduled
for production.
Our Production Department will have your script read by professional male and female
voice talent. Your custom messages are usually alternated with courtesy “thank you
for holding” messages, then mixed over appropriate background music.
This program is sent to you, where it plays on special equipment connected to your
phone system. The equipment loops the program from digital memory, 24 hours a day.
Your callers hear your message, starting from whatever portion of the message is
playing when they are placed on-hold.
Back to top
Maintaining variety and keeping your message program fresh and current
is the key to successful on-hold marketing. Because of this, our services are sold
on a subscription basis. Our Message Subscription Plans make keeping your programs
up-to-date as easy as subscribing to a magazine!
With a Message On Hold Subscription Plan, we will create and send you new programs
at your request during the subscription period, up to the number of programs which
are included in the plan. You can change as much of the script material as you like
from program to program. We'll also update the music for each of your programs.
We have four different Message On Hold Subscription Plans to choose from. They are
actually all identical, except for the number of programs that are included. Which
plan is best for you depends on the nature of your business — whether you have a
high rate of repeat callers, have frequently changing information, or run frequent
promotions. You can click here to find
out more about the Message On Hold Subscription Plans we offer.
Besides regular program updates, each Subscription Plan comes with a number of value
added bonus features that make them a terrific value!
Message On Hold Subscription Plans
Back to top
With most business telephones, to implement Message On Hold you need a player that
connects to your telephone system. Most Message On Hold players are equipped with
digital memory that holds the program and loops it over and over.
The kind of equipment you need depends on what kind of business telephones you have.
There are essentially two categories of equipment -- units that
are compatible only with PBX/KSU (or equivalent) phone systems made specifically
for business, and units that are compatible with regular telephones, like you might
find in a home or purchase from an office store. We have industry-leading, state-of-the-art
equipment of both types, as well as "universal" players which can be used with either
type of system.
For more information, visit our Message On Hold Equipment section, which features
detailed information on phone systems, players, and getting them working together,
as well as a Product Wizard which will help you choose the right equipment for your
telephone system.
Message On Hold Equipment
How Message On Hold Players Work
Product Wizard
Back to top
Getting started is very easy -- you can do it right here online!
Begin by completing our Message On Hold Online
Order Form. Don't worry; we won't ask you for any money now -- not until
you've approved your first script and your finished program is ready to ship to
you.
Order Message On Hold
Back to top
|