It’s a marketing space often overlooked, underestimated, and underutilized. Imagine your potential customer’s journey: they dial your business number, and for various reasons, they end up on hold. This slice of a customer’s encounter with your brand is often disregarded. But picture this instead: while waiting, they are not just hearing notes of elevator music and apologies for the wait; they are engaging with a message that weaves into the very fiber of their perception of your brand. This is the potential power of the on-hold message — an often untapped asset in the repertoire of customer experiences.
In this in-depth guide, we will unravel the art of crafting on-hold messages that do more than just pass the time; they can influence sales, company image, and customer satisfaction. For business owners, customer service managers, and marketing professionals, it’s time to pay attention to the silent salesman on the line.
Understanding the Significance of On-Hold Messages
Your ‘Other’ Marketing Platform
On-hold messages serve as an extension of your company’s marketing arm. When a caller is placed on hold, they become a captive audience, with no other ad distractions. The impression your on-hold message creates can drastically alter the customer experience and perception of your brand.
Customer Expectation and Experience
In today’s fast-paced world, customers expect instant service. However, hold time is often an unavoidable part of service, especially in high-traffic seasons. This experience can turn sour quickly without engaging content that informs and entertains.
Influencing Purchasing Decisions
Studies show that on-hold time can influence purchasing decisions, and nearly 88% of callers prefer on-hold messages over silence. By strategically weaving promotional material into informative content, you are subconsciously promoting your products and services.
Crafting a Compelling On-Hold Message
Understand Your Audience
Before you even think about the content, it is crucial to understand your typical caller and tailor the message to their expectations, interests, and concerns.
Script the Perfect Message
Every word counts in the limited time you have. Start with a hook that immediately speaks to your caller’s needs or desires. Follow with clear, concise information on your products or services, and end with a strong call to action.
Tell a Story
Beyond stating facts, tell a story that resonates with your audience. Share a customer success story or explain how your product or service can solve a common pain point.
Audio Quality and Voice Talent
The sound of your on-hold message should reflect the professionalism of your company. Employ a skilled, articulate voice talent and invest in high-quality audio recording equipment.
Mix It Up
Repetition can breed contempt. Change your on-hold messages regularly to keep them fresh and informative, avoiding the risk of tune-out.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
Be sure you’re not only entertaining but also compliant with regulations. If using music, ensure it’s royalty-free, and any statements you make about your products must be verifiable and compliant with advertising standards.
Measuring Success and Iterating
Analytics and Caller Feedback
Stay informed about what works. Use call analytics to measure caller experience and gather feedback on what your customers appreciated or found missing in the on-hold message.
A/B Testing
Consider conducting A/B testing on different message content to see which yields better outcomes in terms of customer engagement and call-to-action performance.
Keeping It Fresh
Regularly update your on-hold messages with seasonal promotions, new products, or changes in company messaging to keep it relevant and exciting.
Company-Wide Focus
Ensure that the message being conveyed on-hold aligns seamlessly with your company’s overall brand identity and marketing messaging across all channels.
Best Practices in the On-Hold Message Industry
Personalization and Segmentation
Leverage the data you have on your customers to personalize their on-hold experience. A segmented approach can yield more effective messaging by tailoring it to specific customer groups.
Evoke Emotion
Emotion drives consumer behavior. Use your on-hold message to create a positive emotional connection with your brand. This could be through humor, nostalgia, or empathy.
Partner with Professionals
There’s an entire industry dedicated to creating effective on-hold messages. Consider partnering with professionals who can bring a wealth of experience in crafting messages that sell without sounding salesy.
Ad-Hold as Your Partner in Messaging Strategy
Finally, consider the services of a specialist in the field like Ad-Hold who can provide strategies and services tailored to maximize the value of your on-hold messaging system.
With the right approach, on-hold messages can do more than patch up unpleasant wait times. They can enhance the customer experience, convey brand value, and indeed, make sales. Ready to transform the time your customers spend on hold into a unique opportunity to grow your business? The wait is over. Let’s start crafting on-hold messages that speak volumes.