On Hold Music for Business

Free gets the gong

Since the beginning of time, three words have proven to be most effective for the advertising copywriter. Those words are new, sale and free.

If I was having a bet I’d say the word “free” is the most effective. All three words are capable of grabbing attention and all three promise or imply reward.

However the word “free” has the added appeal of the universal dream; that of getting something for nothing.

Free does happen

It’s no myth. Here is an example. Let’s assume you’re responsible to organize the new On Hold programme for the business phone system.

The budget isn’t huge but you know the days of Free On Hold Music For Business have long passed. Those days went with the cassette deck. (ask mum)

There was a time when it was common to connect the radio or cd player to the telephone so when callers got placed On Hold they could hear some music.

Of course that practice is not only illegal it was always exposing callers to any bad news on the radio and risqué lyrics in the music selection.

The business had no control over what their callers were hearing when placed on hold.  

It’s risky working the dark side of Free On Hold Music For Business.

Fee Free at last

The logical choice is to do abide by the laws of copyright, but to minimize all outlay. 

At least you can avoid the annual fees. These are the fees imposed by collection agencies operating on behalf of the musicians and publishers who own the intellectual property; the music.

In Australia and New Zealand the fees apply to any business playing music anywhere throughout their operations. This is incudes telephone audio.

To qualify for the fee exemption the music tracks used in your on hold programme should be chosen from a library of Royalty Free Music like the one at Media Group, the business audio specialists. www.mediagroup.com.au 

Compare The Best On Hold Messaging Service of 2021

When I was first permitted to use the telephone it was still connected by wire. I think we called it a phone cord. The technicians referred to it as a cable inside the premises and outside it was a phone line.

Hence the origin of the expression “hold the line”. This always conjures up images of folks all over AU grabbing onto their cords and hanging-on tightly to stay connected. 

AFTER THE BEEP

Then came the advent of the answering machine. I remember the phrase “leave your message after the tone” as being the one sure way to leave my Mum speechless.

From those elementary days of “beeps” and awkwardness, we turn to the important business subject of On Hold Messaging.

Ask yourself where would the business world be without the telephone? It’s unthinkable and a bit scary. 

A NEW ERA IN BUSINESS

It was August 15, 1877, when inventor Alexander Graham Bell called to his colleague in the next room “Mr. Watson come here. I want to see you".

Suddenly the world changed. The telephone had arrived and done business took a huge leap into modernity.

Today in this all-convenient digital world the business telephone is able to interact with callers using no human intervention. You’ve been there “Press 1 for accounts...”

But there are times when “all lines are busy”. I’m sure you’re familiar with the phrase. It comes just before you decide to hang up or to stay on the line as requested.

GET THE MESSAGE

The choice between hanging-up and holding-on usually comes down to the quality of the On Hold Messaging.

Music alone will delay the hang-up but only marginally better than dead silence or those horrible chimes.

Callers need to be entertained if you want them to acquiesce to a request to hold the line. One way to do this is by providing relevant information about the company and its products/services.

A program of music and messages that’s been well scripted, properly recorded, and spoken by a professional voice actor is the best way to reduce the number of callers who hang-up.

At Media Group Au we can demonstrate how to improve you're On Hold Messaging. We will even write and record a free sample message and send it to you online.