As a small business owner, you understand how important it is to make a great first impression. One aspect of your business that you may not have considered is your on hold messaging. The messages that customers hear while waiting on hold can make or break their experience with your brand. In this ultimate guide, we’ll explore best practices and tips for creating effective on hold messages that will leave a positive impression on your customers.
Why on hold messages are important
First and foremost, it’s important to understand why on hold messaging matters. When customers are placed on hold, they are forced to wait. Without on hold messages, customers are subjected to silence, which can be uncomfortable and frustrating. In fact, a study by AT&T found that 70% of business callers are placed on hold for an average of 45 seconds per call. That’s a long time to leave a customer in silence.
On hold messages provides an opportunity to engage customers, showcase your brand, and provide important information. This is particularly important for small businesses that are looking to make a positive impression and stand out from the competition.
Best practices for on hold messaging
Now that we’ve established the importance of on hold messages, let’s dive into some best practices:
- Keep it short and sweet: Customers don’t want to be on hold for long, and they don’t want to listen to long messages. Keep your messages short and to the point.
- Be clear and concise: Use simple language and avoid technical jargon. Be sure to enunciate clearly and speak at a moderate pace.
- Provide value: Use on hold messaging as an opportunity to provide valuable information to customers, such as hours of operation, directions, or current promotions.
- Be consistent: Ensure that your on hold message aligns with your overall brand messaging and tone.
- Use music wisely: Music can help to create a positive atmosphere, but be sure to choose music that aligns with your brand and is not too distracting.
Tips for creating effective on hold messages
Now that you understand best practices for on hold messaging, let’s explore some tips for creating effective messages:
- Identify your target audience: Consider who your callers are and what information they may find valuable.
- Tell a story: Use storytelling to engage callers and create a memorable experience.
- Consider the use of humor (sparingly): Humor can be a great way to engage callers, but use it sparingly and ensure that it aligns with your brand.
- Showcase your brand personality: Use on hold message as an opportunity to showcase your brand personality and differentiate yourself from the competition.
- Test and refine: if your budget allows, test different messages and see what resonates with your callers. Refine and update your messages over time based on customer feedback.
Maximizing the impact of your on hold messaging
In addition to keeping customers engaged while on hold, on hold messages can also be leveraged to enhance your brand and increase customer loyalty. By effectively utilizing on hold messaging, you can turn a potentially negative experience into a positive one. Here are some strategies for maximizing the impact of your on hold message:
- Showcase your unique selling proposition: Use on hold message to highlight what sets your business apart and how you can provide value to your customers.
- Utilize cross-selling and upselling: Take advantage of on hold messages to promote your products or services and suggest additional offerings that may interest your customers.
- Offer self-help options: Consider incorporating self-help options into your on hold messaging, such as directing customers to your website or social media channels.
- Use a call-to-action: Use on hold messages to encourage customers to take a specific action, such as signing up for your email list or following you on social media.
By implementing these tips, you can make the most out of your on hold messaging and improve customer satisfaction and retention. Remember to keep your messages short, clear, and consistent with your brand messaging, and test and refine your messages over time based on customer feedback.
On Hold Audio by Advanced Productions can help your small business make a great impression on your customers while they wait on hold. With our professional on hold messaging services, you can showcase your brand, provide valuable information, and engage your customers in a memorable experience.
Our team of experts can help you identify your target audience, tell your story, showcase your brand personality, and maximize the impact of your on hold messages. We offer a range of customizable options, including music selections and voiceover artists, to ensure that your on hold messaging aligns with your brand and provides value to your customers. Trust On Hold Audio by Advanced Productions to take your on hold message to the next level and enhance your customer satisfaction and retention.