When it comes to marketing, every touchpoint with a customer is an opportunity. Yet, many businesses overlook a valuable resource that has the power to enhance customer experience and promote their brand simultaneously: the humble on-hold message. While the idea of putting customers on hold may seem antagonistic to some customer-centric strategies, it’s an inescapable part of business. Imagine, however, using that wait time to inform, entertain and, most importantly, market directly to your captive audience.
The Neglected Market Segment
According to studies, on average, a person will spend about 43 days of their life waiting on hold for customer service. That’s 43 potential days worth of marketing messages being listened to by someone who’s already interested in your company! Despite the regular reach of this medium, businesses are often missing a trick in communicating effectively during these brief interludes.
Making the Most of Monotony
Transform your on-hold message into a powerful marketing tool. You can engage your audience with a brief company overview, share service highlights, promote new products, or announce timely sales and offers. For instance, did you know that you can convert up to 20% of callers into sales with the right on-hold message? That’s a significant figure given how many calls most businesses receive daily.
Take the time your customers spend waiting as an opportunity to tell your brand’s story or to highlight what makes your business unique—your customer service, your satisfaction guarantee, your humanitarian initiatives, and more. It’s a prime moment to plant the seeds of customer loyalty and brand advocacy.
The Psychology of Perception
Psychologically speaking, the sensory elements of your on-hold message—whether it’s music, a straightforward message, or more elaborate soundscapes—can affect how your brand is perceived by the waiting individual. In fact, the right wait music or engaging voiceover can make wait times seem much shorter and leave a positive impression.
Using a pleasing voice with clear information can convey professionalism and care. On the other hand, using silences or outdated music can have the opposite effect. Every aspect of this touchpoint is an opportunity to enhance your brand’s image in the caller’s mind.
The Ad-Hold Advantage
How, then, can businesses ensure their on-hold messaging is enhancing their brand effectively? Companies like Ad-Hold offer specialized services that can professionally tailor your on-hold messages to ensure they don’t just pass the time, but also add value to your brand image and marketing strategies.
Ad-Hold’s services, including scriptwriting and voice casting, are designed to make your on-hold time both informative and pleasant, utilizing key marketing strategies to engage your audience even when you’re not directly interacting with them.
Crafting a Memorable Hold
When considering your on-hold messaging strategy, it’s crucial to think about the timing and the content. How long are your average hold times? What information will be most valuable or interesting to your callers? And how can you deliver that information in a way that is not just tolerated, but welcome? Remember, this is a unique opportunity to speak directly to your customer in a largely undisturbed space.
A well-crafted on-hold message should have a clear understanding of your brand voice, be concise yet comprehensive, and should change regularly to keep returning customers engaged. It’s a tool that can pay dividends with each customer interaction.
Turning Wait into A Winning Strategy
By treating on-hold messaging as an integral part of your marketing efforts, you can transform a typically mundane experience into a valuable touchpoint to convey the essence of your brand and its offerings. This strategy not only has the potential to increase sales but also to build a stronger relationship with your customers.
So, instead of viewing on-hold messaging as a necessary evil, seize the opportunity to connect with your customers in a meaningful way. Invest in developing engaging and informative messages that reflect your brand identity. It’s a marketing strategy that speaks volumes, albeit silently, about the kind of business you run.
Ready to start making the most of your on-hold messaging? Visit Ad-Hold and turn those dull waiting minutes into powerful interaction opportunities.