Last Month's On Hold Message Is So Last Year

When callers return to doing business after the holidays, they won't want to hear Deck The Halls or Jingle Bells, and they'll be checking to see if your marketing department (or, you) are sharp enough to know what's on your own hold button.

There are times throughout the year when your music on hold message can be let go for a bit, but this is not one of them. Callers are thinking about "new" opportunities for the new year, and the hold music is just one of the places to promote your business.

Here are a few ideas for your January 2010 music on hold message.

• Things are improving. The suggestion that business is good can motivate callers to join in the economic recovery.
• Our goals for the new year. By being specific about where you're taking your company in 2010, you are building confidence in the potential buyer, which can spread by way of positive word-of-mouth.
• Name one specific new feature. Don't just say, "We're putting something new together for the new year," but mention one thing that proves you really have something new and exciting. This builds credibility.
• Fresh new music. If you've used a particular music on hold track or style, change it up for a fresh sound. The same can be said for the voice talent you use on hold. Switch to a male if you've been using a female announcer, and vice-versa.
• Shorten up paragraphs. A shorter, punchier phone on hold script will get noticed and will be more easily retained. 

Don't wait! The new year is here. Happy new year!

Music On Hold Gets Noticed At Delta

Blogs and forums are abuzz with chatter about the music on hold Delta Airlines was playing last week. While hundreds of flights were being canceled due to the wintery blast that hit the east coast, callers on hold were treated to "Let It Snow".

One comment was: "Flights grounded by wintry weather. So what hold music does Delta play? 'Let it snow'. Tactful."

Blogger Katie McNeil writes, "We spent Sunday listening to Delta's hold music. (No joke, they were playing, 'Let it snow' which, as you recall, has a lyric that says "Since we've no place to go..." Ummm, I'm on hold with Delta airlines, I would think I have SOMEPLACE TO GO.) Little miss customer representative tells us kindly the earliest flight she can get us on is CHRISTMAS NIGHT. Yeah, that would be five days later."

This music on hold tune was gaining word-of-mouth viral attention. One blogger writes, " Someone my brother knows was on hold with Delta trying to reschedule her flight this past weekend. Her original flight was canceled because of the snow. Delta's choice for hold music? 'Let it Snow'."

Since most of us don't blame Delta for the snow storm, it looks like the music on hold choice won't hurt the airline. Now we know that if we have to call Delta and get put on hold, you might hear something interesting (or ironic) and at least won't be left in silence.

Does this make you think about what you've got on your hold button. Music On Hold Messages can and DO get noticed!

Home Brew Music On Hold

I have heard from dozens of businesspeople who have pasted together a home brew music on hold system. Some are using iPod or CD players in repeat mode. Once in a while I hear of a re-purposed PC being used as a music player.

NCH Software makes a program that lets you use a PC with a standard sound card. While they say you can continue to use the PC for other purposes, remember the idea behind music on hold is that it plays continuously. 24-7-365. My question is, "Can you be sure your hold messages are still on?".

The NCH program, called IMS, is nifty for the handyman or woman who likes tech tinkering and might be a fun project. You can still utilize a professional music on hold producer or studio for the best sound.

The system allows real time mixing of messages and music to create an endless presentation. The manufacturer says, "the software is usually used with professionally recorded messages" but the software also allows you to record your own messages directly and simply by plugging in a microphone.

The automatic Internet connection ensures that if you are using a studio to produce your messages regularly, your messages can be uploaded automatically by your production studio.

What's On Hold At The White House?

According to Don Gonyea of National Public Radio, the Nation's most famous address is playing Muzak on hold, possibly Kenny G music. Just thought you'd like to know!
Read the NPR Blog