I recently wrote an article for the Cedar Rapids, Iowa Edge Business Magazine called, “The Advertising Machine Inside Your Phone.” ( January 2010 edition.)
In it, I describe the general idea behind On Hold Messaging…what it is, how it works, etc. I intended it to be a good introduction to On Hold Messaging, while also encouraging business owners to think about the fact that their phone system is more a Marketing and Customer Service tool, than it is an IT system.
There's a new voice at the On Hold Web Store!
I’m very pleased to have recently re-connected with a friend from college…we were both in the Mass Communications Department together at Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa. (For both our sakes, I won’t say how long ago that was.)
Sonya (Terry) Francis is the new female voice at the On Hold Web Store. (Listen to Sonya and yours truly on the newly revised On Hold Samples page.)
I had been thinking about adding a female voice to the service offerings for some time. Recently, Sonya and I connected on Facebook, started a conversation about our voice over careers…and voila!
Sonya and her husband, Chad Francis, own and operate CFS Video Productions in Sioux Falls, SD. Chad is a very talented producer. If you need video production services in the Sioux Falls area – I encourage you to seek out Chad and Sonya.
So, On Hold Web Store clients can now choose the pleasing baritone of this blogger or the velvety smooth sound of Sonya — or both — for their On Hold Message Productions.
Welcome, Sonya!
-Eric
Save money with a coupon code at onholdwebstore.us
Here’s a coupon code that will take 10% off your total purchase over $100 (limit 4 total cart items) during July and August 2009 at the On Hold Web Store – onholdwebstore.us :
julyaug10
Enter this coupon code anytime when viewing your shopping cart to see the savings! If you are buying selected equipment items in quantity to cover several locations, you’ll save even more, since we have quantity discounts posted right on our product pages.
The On Hold Web Store – found at onholdwebstore.us - provides On Hold Message audio production services and playback equipment for business telephone systems; PBX & Key systems and files for VoIP — we can send custom audio for your current player, too. Other services include custom system menu promts and voicemail recordings. Questions? Just give us a call toll-free at 1-877-808-0794 or visit us online. No long-term contracts or monthly fees – straight buy-out production…you pay for it — you own it.
-Eric
Writing an On Hold Message Script doesn't have to be a struggle.
That’s a question we get asked all the time here at the On Hold Web Store. And the answer is: “just about anything you’d like.”
An on-hold message is basically just a very long radio commercial. It can be as long as you like, although most businesses find that a message of about 5 minutes or so does the trick.
As for what to include in your on-hold message script, we offer a free PDF download at the On Hold Web Store – we call it our Ideas Sheet – because (surprise, surprise) we’ve filled it up with ideas of topics you might want to include in your message.
Every business is different, but most retail businesses include their location, store hours and information about a special sale, among other things. While professional services businesses typically choose to educate callers about their awards, certifications and specialties.
The list goes on and on (no, really it does — you should check it out). But every on hold message should include a variety of what we call “courtesy messages” that let your callers on hold know that YOU know they are waiting for you to come back to the phone, and assures them that you are working diligently to get back on the line.
If you’re adventurous and willing to break out from the pack, we can create a script for you that includes all of the information you want to share, but in a clever – maybe even humorous – way!
If you have any questions, please drop us a note at info@onholdwebstore.us or give me a call toll-free at 1-877-808-0794.
Eric Wylie
Owner, On Hold Web Store
http://onholdwebstore.us