Do you know what your current and future customers are hearing and saying about you? I can tell you this much. What they’re “Hearing” is not only affecting what they’re “saying.” It’s affecting what they’re “doing” as well. 

True Story - Luby Chevrolet in Lakewood had been an On-Hold client of mine for several years and actively updated their on-hold messages with new car rebates and service department specials. One day Dick Fleischmann, Luby's savvy and dapper owner and GM, calls me up and asks, "Can we get our on-hold message to play over the speakers in our showroom?" I told him it might sound a bit strange to people in his New Car Showroom to hear "please hold". So I suggested a custom music program, which I set up for him. The reason he wanted this, and wanted it right away, was a gentleman had just walked into Luby Chevrolet and bought a car on the spot, after being at a competing Chevy Dealer who was playing a local Denver radio station over the sound system in their showroom.

During a commercial break in the music, that man - who was sitting in front of ownership papers, pen in hand, ready to sign on the dotted line - heard Luby's radio commercial offering the exact car he was about to buy for 1000's less. He put down the pen, drove straight over to Luby Chevrolet and drove home with a brand new car. Moral of the story: Don't play a radio station in your store or use it as a music source for your On-Hold System.

Speaking of On-Hold Systems, if you have one, when was the last time you checked it? I’ll bet never. Why? You just never think about it. But it’s one of the first th - but not you.ings callers hear other than the receptionist saying “Hello” or your auto-attendant directing them to a person or department for immediate assistance. 

 If you're just playing music or a message that hasn't been changed in months or years, your customers notice. They won't tell you. They'll tell everyobody else - but they won't tell you. Aside from that - you're missing out on an opportunity to market to an exclusive "Audience Of One"? It doesn't matter if you have 20 people on-hold, it's still an "Audience Of One" and they're all ears.

So, what are you saying to them? Are you boring them? Or are you entertaining them with information that's timely, relevant and helps build relationships and encourages them in making an educated buying decision? Just asking...

The On-Hold Industry has been evolving over the past decade. On-Hold players are now less expensive and utilize USB technology to deliver crystal clear messages and music. And instead of waiting for your new message to be delivered by the Post Office. It now arrives via email and ready to play immediately.

Smart companies market to their "Audience Of One" while they're waiting on-hold. But now the messages help reinforce the companies marekting plan. Callers are reminded to visit the company web site, Facebook Page, Twitter Account or all three. An On-hold message is now an integral part of your Social Media strategy. What better way to promote your blog or website than with your on-hold messages?

Here at iVoice-Media our On-Hold Radio programs now include compelling, interesting, informative interviews, humor, trivia and of course great modern music. 

If you’d like a customized demo of our new On-Hold Radio program, just email frank@iVoiceMedia.Us or give me a call at 303-961-2467. And be sure to follow me on twitter @fevoice. Thanks!