This Article was brought to you by:

Service Unavailable

While on hold messaging is not a complicated product, it can be somewhat confusing for beginners because of all the available choices. This article will help you avoid the most common pitfalls that can trip up a newcomer who is looking to make the best decision for his - her business.

Pitfall #1 - All on hold messaging is NOT created equally. Custom messaging is a professional service, not a commodity. Most times, it’s apples and oranges when looking from one company to the next.

It’s true however that most providers will have good sounding voices available…

However, there is more to the entire process than just a “catchy” voice. Customer service, quick turnaround time, and on-going technical support are ALL vital to accomplishing your on hold messaging goals.

HINT: Look for a company who is dedicated to:

* Education first

* Customer service focused on meeting your needs

* Proof of satisfied customers

* Audio samples to listen to

* Overall value to price ratio

* Reasonable turnaround times

* Doesn’t try to lock you into long term contracts

* Offers a full money back guarantee

Pitfall #2 - For most businesses, long term contracts are NOT necessary. The studio who offers this price model is seeking to generate steady cash flow for itself. Great for them because cash flow is important for stability. The problem is that it is not what most small and medium business need. I know because I have surveyed hundreds of customers to come to this conclusion.

HINT: Choose a provider who offers a buy out pricing model instead. You pay only once and then you are off the hook. If you need more, just buy them when needed.
A small investment for on hold messaging (while very important) need not be contractual to your business.

Pitfall #3 - Playing the radio or music CD on hold is NOT legal. I’m sorry if you think it should be. If you bought a music CD then you bought a single use license. This is for your personal playback only; not for commercial rebroadcast for your financial gain in your business.

And therein lies the legal issue: You are essentially using the CD to profit from it in your business. Same with RADIO. The radio station pays to broadcast the music over the airwaves, but you are NOT licensed to re-broadcast it for your financial gain. This is a big no-no.

Here’s Proof:

On October 17th 2002 , The Better Business Bureau Reported:

Businesses that play unlicensed radio and music CD’s are subject to a civil suit in federal court. Sanctions against an infringer can include an injunction and statutory damages of up to $30,000 for each copyrighted song performed without a license and up to $150,000 each song if the infringement is willful.”

Pitfall #4 - Placing your callers on hold in SILENCE is a horrible practice. This is just as bad as using a RADIO on hold. Silence is a black hole and makes you look amateur, especially when it’s the first time a prospect is in contact with your organization! Chances are you have been placed on hold in silence too, and the experience stinks! Do you agree?

For one, most of the time, you don’t know if you’ve been hung up on. This alienates people because they don’t know if they should hang up and call back or stay on hoping they didn’t get disconnected. The real problem here is the unnecessary stress you are putting a caller through. Don’t stress them out!

Moreover, if you weren’t hung up on, the wait-time actually seems way longer than it is. There is research to support this too. In any event, it’s just bad business practice to put callers on hold in SILENCE.

Pitfall #5 - Failing to realize just how important on hold messaging is. If you use the RADIO, you are breaking the law. If you use SILENCE, you have a black hole. You’ve gotten this far because you must know that you need to replace them with custom on hold messaging. Decide to take action now to get a production for your business and start reaping it’s rewards, ASAP!

It’s remarkable how much more professional your business will look with custom music on hold (whether large or small), and there is a direct correlation to it actually increasing your sales. A small investment with a large reward. Seriously consider getting it right now.

Useful Links:

"By working on your financial management at home, you can prevent yourself from facing bankruptcy."