Music on Hold | The 7 Myths People Have About Messaging and Music On Hold and the 7 Dispelling Facts You Need to Know

by Mitch Winchester

Myth #1: We do not put our callers on hold, our phones are answered by live receptionists.

Fact: All businesses put callers on hold. Even if your phones are answered live by people, your call is put on hold when transferring a call to the appropriate party. This can take 5 seconds up to 40 seconds, or more.

Also, when the receptionist is busy on one line, your other lines (two, three, and/or four) are likely answered by the system. Again, this is an “on hold” situation which your callers are exposed to.

Bottom line, even if you are answering your phones “live”, you are putting callers on hold. Period.

ACTION: Call your office from your cell phone for one week and see how often you are in fact put on hold. You’ll be surprised the time you are “in limbo.” This is what your callers are going through daily and they hate it. And it’s hurting your image and your profits.

Custom messaging and music on hold is an ideal “patch” for replacing silence or the radio when putting callers on hold.

Myth #2: Custom Messaging and Music on Hold is too expensive.

Fact: Custom Music on hold is more affordable than you think. Advances in technology have driven down scripting, recording, and production costs. Fully custom messaging and music on hold is only $199 to $369. Players are also very affordable ranging from $199 to $349 depending on the chosen model. Also, certain packages are available for just $64 per month. More Music On Hold Info Here >

Myth #3: My phones will not support messaging and music on hold.

Fact: Almost all phones (99%) support on hold messaging one way or another. If you have a professionally installed PBX/Key phone system, then you are 100% guaranteed compatible.

If you have standard office phones (AT&T, Panasonic, RCA, Brother, Uniden, Sony, etc.) then you most likely can use on hold messaging.

You’ll want to discuss your set up with a qualified on hold provider so they can ask you the right questions to make a determination for you. However, rest assured that most phones will work with music on hold these days so compatibility is not an issue. Call 1-877-422-1051 to discuss your phones now.

Myth #4: My customers don’t want to be “ pitched to ” when waiting on hold. It annoys them.

Fact: Most on hold callers (85%) when surveyed reported that they prefer to hear SOMETHING as opposed to hearing NOTHING. Isn’t that what you prefer too?

Silence is a killer on hold and it increases hang-ups. Moreover, a custom messaging and music on hold production need not be a “pitch-fest” any way.

Helpful information on hold is very useful for your on hold callers. This includes: your location, your hours of operation, your website address, your slogan, your service offerings (most people only know some of your offerings, not ALL like you think they do), and how long you have been in business. All people need information like this…

Again, useful information is HELPFUL, not annoying. Silence is annoying. The radio blaring is annoying. Help educate your callers while on hold using custom messaging and music to keep them in the loop. Your image and sales will rise accordingly.

Myth #5: We use the radio (or silence) on hold and no one is complaining about it, so it must be working.

Fact: Hogwash. Just because your callers aren’t providing you feedback doesn’t prove it’s working. “Absence is not evidence.” Most people are being polite by not criticizing you, and also, they don’t care enough to tell you how to make your business better. That’s your job to figure out, not theirs.

Radio on hold is illegal (BBB Oct. 2002) and silence is just downright amateur. The benefits of custom messaging and music on hold are worth their weight in gold, and you need to start realizing just how important it actually is to your image.

Myth #6: We can afford it. We spent all of our advertising dollars this year.

Fact: You need to re-allocate your marketing dollars to include custom messaging and music on hold. Yellow pages, billboards, TV, radio, and all the other advertising mediums are ridiculously expensive. And you know it.

You can shave off just a little bit ($100) from each medium and get messaging and music on hold. Again, total costs are under $499 total, with nothing more to buy, ever. If you look for the dollars, you will find them.

Myth #7: We have WAY more pressing issues to deal with right now.

Fact: What can be more important than the first impression you make to your callers? And what can be more important than your prospects and customers?

After all, they are your “life line” to profits and you need to understand just how important looking professional is. You NEVER get a second chance to make a first impression.

Custom messaging and music on hold not only makes you look less amateur it also shows your callers how much you really do care about them. Not only that, the on hold message process is automated. The instant the callers are placed on hold, your music on hold plays through your phone, time and time again. Day after day. Week after week. Month after month.

What to do next…

If interested, you can receive a free music on hold quote and free phone compatibility analysis by clicking HERE.
Or, please call 1-877-422-1051.

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WHY CUSTOM MUSIC ON HOLD?
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“Because impressing callers and reducing hang ups increases profitability.”

(c) 2007 – Garrett Todd, LLC – Impress Callers – All Rights Reserved

JC Whtiney – How to save money by ordering online

Yes! You can save money by ordering car parts online.You know those funky pop-up headlights that you find on some of the older sports coupes like the Pontiac Fiero? They might be a little tough to find today if you are just searching the local auto parts store. Even the local parts ranch may not have one of these spunky little cars.

So, where else do you go? The Internet.You can save money by ordering your car parts online – not to mention the time spent kicking tires and chewing the fat with Barney, the local junk car collector down at the auto wreckers.

Buying your car parts online has a few advantages you aren’t likely going to find when you travel the countryside looking for those headlights.Saving money – bottom line – Since these major online parts dealers cater to the entire country, continent, or even the world, chances are their ability to buy parts in bulk quantities give them an advantage over your local auto parts dealer. Instead of buying 10,000 signal light fuses for a Chrysler New Yorker, the local guy only has one or two kicking around in the back.

Any time larger companies can purchase large volumes of product, the price is sure to go down – and that price savings is passed on to the consumer.Along the same lines, since the major online dealers are selling those 10,000 fuses and still making money, they don’t necessarily need to make as much as the local parts dealer because they are volume selling.

The markup is lower, but they are still making a significant profit when selling so many items. You are searching a huge database for the right part – Online parts locators for both new and used cars, like jc whitney, can save to huge amounts of time and effort by providing you with a number of great avenues to get parts. Most makes and models can be sourced through websites like JC Whitney, and the parts you have been looking for, can finally be found.

Convenience always saves time, and money – When you have everything at your fingertips – literally- then you don’t have to spend the time searching high and low for exactly the part you need. Most online sites, like JC Whitney have a lead on car parts for most autos, past and present.

Plus, many of the online sites have customer service representatives that can help you source out the parts you need, and can try to answer questions you might have about the auto part you need, or the vehicle you are working on. In addition, larger sites will offer a catalogue that you can order or download that makes the entire process even easier.

Gone are the days of going from auto wrecker to auto wrecker and making time consuming and expensive long distance phone calls across the country looking for the auto part you need. Plus, you could pay quite a bit more if you try and source the part out at your local auto parts retailed – mainly because they don’t deal in the same volume as the online auto parts retailer.For more information or to save money on low cost auto parts, please visit jc whitney today!

JC Whitney

How To Find Low Cost Auto Parts, At The Right Price!

by: Rob Goyette

Whether it’s for your 4-year-old Chevy minivan, or the vintage Dodge Charger you have underneath the canvas in your shop, finding auto parts that don’t cost you a fortune might be a tough task. Auto wreckers, E-bay, parts locators – these are all valid ways to try to find the auto part you need, at the price you want to pay.For newer vehicles, you might be inclined to pay full retail price at your local auto parts store, just to get the exact part you need for your vehicle. What you should realize is there are dozens of cars with parts just like yours, or reasonably close, that are sitting in impound lots, auto wreckers, and on the Internet, just waiting to find a new home.

What makes them more attractive is that these auto parts can be found for a fraction of what you would pay for a new part. Chances are, they will last just as long – unless they have been damaged.With any vehicle newer than 10 to 12 years, you will be able to find anything from windshields and side mirrors to carburetors and radiators at the local auto wreckers. Most auto wreckers can save you piles of cash when you are shopping for low cost auto parts.

Many of them have their cars catalogued on computer, along with the parts that have been stripped from them. It makes shopping for low cost auto parts a breeze – and very economical.With many older vehicles, you may face a tougher task of finding the auto part you need – at a reasonable price.

The parts are out there – you just need to spend the time finding them. One of the best places to find auto parts for everything from collector cars and vintage autos, to the Ford Tempo that needs a headlight, is on the Internet. Whether you search for the part on an auction site like E-bay, or if you use a national parts site like JC Whitney, chances are that someone, somewhere is going to have the parts you need for your vehicle. There is a good chance that those parts are going to cost you much less than finding someone to custom make a part, or purchasing the part from a retailer jc whitney.

Vintage cars, especially ones that are older than a half century may pose a problem for someone shopping for low cost auto parts. The problem is, many of the parts that are out there are really hard to find, and when you do find them, they may cost you a great deal of money to purchase. The first thing you should do is exhaust all of the auto wreckers in your area. You never know who has that ’57 Chevy rusting away in the back corner of the lot since their grandfather owned the yard. Next thing to do would be to track down all of the used car parts locators on the Internet.

You might find dozens of them, and if you want the final piece to your collector car puzzle, it is worth the work.If you are still having no luck shopping for low cost auto parts to go with your vintage beauty, there are two other avenues you might follow to track down the part you need. First, search the Internet and the Yellow Pages for any car collectors groups that match your car. If you need a headlight for your Model T, try finding a group that collects those cars, and inquire where they found their parts.

You may even get lucky and find someone who has that part in one of the salvaged cars they have used. Collector clubs can not only be a great lifeline for parts, they may be able to offer you advice on fixing up your car on a budget.This next option might be a reach for some, especially if you live in the city, but rural landowners have a knack for collecting and storing all sorts of machinery on their properties – cars, trucks, tractors, etc. This might be your ace in the hole on a part you are having no luck finding anywhere else. They may also be the cheapest when you are shopping for low cost auto parts jc whitney

Talk to the local tow truck driver in a small town, or rural area. They often have the scoop on who has what, and if you’d be able to find a certain part in the area. It certainly is worth the effort if you are able to find that final remaining piece to finish your car. Don’t be afraid to scour the countryside looking for the part you need – sometimes they are found in the most unsuspecting places.

Your last resort (and most expensive) is to have a part custom made. If you are shopping for low cost auto parts, this might not be the road to travel. But, it is a final option.With all of these avenues to follow, in all likelihood you will find the auto part you need, and you should be able to find it at a price that doesn’t put a huge dent in the pocketbook. Happy hunting!

Search for low cost auto parts online at jc whitney without paying for shipping.

Music On Hold | The Little-Known Legal Mistake You Can Make When Putting Your Customers On Hold, Which May Cost You As Much As $150,000 in Fines…And What You Can Do to Avoid It

WARNING!  If you are putting your callers on hold with a RADIO STATION or MUSIC CDs , then you are breaking the law.   This is not a joke. Most business owners are not aware of this but here is the proof you need…

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).”

Please read that again if it didn’t hit you like a ton of bricks. Friend, this is a big deal!

 

Who is Held Responsible for Unlawful Copyright Infringement?

“… The proprietor of the business in which the copyrighted music is performed is liable for any infringement of copyrighted music in his or her place of business. ”

I don’t know of many small or medium sized businesses that can weather a legal storm of fines of $30,000 EACH SONG, let alone $150,000 EACH SONG.

In a nutshell, it’s just not worth the risk.  ASCAP, BMI, & SESAC are the main music licensing agencies in America today, and they regularly CALL businesses to find out if they are playing RADIO BROADCASTS or MUSIC CDs illicitly.

If they decide to press charges, you may be in for a world of hurt.  Don’t take all your hard work and throw it out because you decided not to comply with the law.  Ignorance is no excuse.  Just like a speeding ticket.

The Music On Hold Solution: 

The good news is that you can do something about it that will actually increase your business AND get you into compliance with the law. It’s called
“custom music on hold ”, and it’s easy to use and very affordable…

What to do next…

If interested, you can receive a free quote and free phone compatibility analysis by visiting online at: www.impresscallers.com

Garrett Todd
garrett (at) impresscallers (dot) com
www.impresscallers.com
1-877-422-1051

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WHY CUSTOM MUSIC ON HOLD?
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“Because impressing callers and reducing hang ups increases profitability.”

(c) 2007 – Garrett Todd, LLC – Impress Callers – All Rights Reserved

On Hold Music | How to Avoid Common Pitfalls When Using Music On Hold

While on hold messaging is not a complicated product, it can be confusing because if all the various 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, comparing music on hold companies is apples and oranges.

It is true that most providers will have good sounding voices available. However, there is more to the entire process than just a catchy voice…

HINT: Look for a company who is dedicated to:

• education first, an informed buyer is a happy one
• customer service focused on meeting your needs
• proof of satisfied clients
• audio samples to listen to from previous clients
• overall value to price ratio
• fast turnaround times

All these factors combined truly make up the “total value” of the experience in getting custom on hold messaging for your business. The web makes “price-shopping” easy, however, all providers are not equal, and you’ll see this if only you do a little diligence. Caveat emptor!

 

Pitfall #2 – For most businesses, long term contracts are NOT necessary. The studio who offers a contract is seeking to generate steady cash flow for itself.

Great for them because cash flow is important for stability.

The problem is that a contract is not what most small and medium businesses need. I know because I have surveyed hundreds of my on hold clients to come to this conclusion. The feedback? You just don’t like contracts when it comes to music on hold!

And why should you? The affordable price for custom on hold messaging does not warrant a binding long term contract. So why do some companies lock you down? Control. If I know anything about The American People is that we don’t like to be controlled. Don’t get locked in to a contract and voluntarily put a fence around your freedom!

HINT: Choose a provider who offers a “buy out” pricing model instead. This means you pay only once and then you are off the hook. If you need more, just buy them when needed. Also, if you wish to switch on hold music providers, there are no “cancellation clauses” that you’ll have to pay.

A small investment for on hold messaging (while very important) need not be contractual for your business success.

 

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.

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! Chances are you have been placed on hold in silence too, and the experience stinks!

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 they do stay on, callers report the wait-time actually seems way longer than it actually is. There is much published research to support this too. In any event, it’s just bad business practice to put callers on hold in SILENCE. Don’t do it!

 

Pitfall #5 - Failing to realize just how important on hold messaging is.

If you’re like most businesses, a lot of your out going CASH goes to your advertising and marketing. Yellow pages, TV, billboards, directories, paid search, direct mail, etc.

You spend all your money to make the phone ring! And what do you do when they FINALLY do call you? You drop the ball by putting them on hold in SILENCE! Or, make yourself look amateur by using the radio while they wait.

Does this make any sense?! No!

“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” Remember that line? This is you.

Listen, you’ve gotten this far because you must know now that you need to replace silence/radio with custom on hold messaging. Decide to take action now to get a production for your business and start reaping it’s rewards, ASAP!

What to do next…

If interested, you can receive a free quote and free phone compatibility analysis by visting online at: www.impresscallers.com

Garrett Todd
garrett (at) impresscallers (dot) com
www.impresscallers.com
1-877-422-1051

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WHY CUSTOM ON HOLD MESSAGING?
——————————-

“Because impressing callers and reducing
hang ups increases profitability.”

(c) 2007 – Garrett Todd, LLC – Impress Callers – All Rights Reserved

Music On Hold Tips | How to Make Money When Putting Your Callers On Hold

Can you actually make money while placing your callers on hold?

Yes, you can! Using messaging and music on hold…

Here’s how:

When you place you callers on hold you will play for them a custom on hold music production about your business. Given.

Most companies will discuss who they are, what they do, how long they have been in business, what their website address is, and so on. And that’s good. But not great!

I advise companies to also include cross-sells and up-sells for their on hold production. Below is an example of each. Just substitute in your mind your product or service and see how it will apply to your customers.

Cross sells as in, “Hey if you’re getting an oil change with us, make sure you ask the technician to check the tread on your tires. Winter’s coming and this may be a good time to play it safe with some new skins.”

Note: See how we offered a different service / product here that may not have dawned on the customer at this time? But they are already getting the car worked on, so this is a prime time to offer something of value. Moreover, it’s in the customer’s best interest!

Up sells as in, “If you’re getting new tires with us for the upcoming winter season, then you’ll also save 30% off by adding the lifetime ‘rotation and balance’ package.” More money for you than if you said nothing at all because you cannot assume they are thinking in those terms. You help them buy more by telling them more.

Note: See how we offered a more robust package on the SAME service / product that may not have dawned on the customer? This not only helps the customer, but it increase the total sale amount which increases profits by X%.

A direct marketing axiom to live by: “The more you tell, the more you sell.” Use this in your business communications to increase your profits.

Furthermore, the single biggest mistake you can make as a business is to ASSUME that your customers know all the products and services you sell. They don’t! Tell them and tell them every chance you get.

For starters, use your on hold message to do this for your every time they are on hold. You’ll be amazed at the profits that can be made by educating your customer.

If you’d like to learn more…

Get a free custom quote and telephone “needs analysis” by visiting Impress Callers right now. www.impresscallers.com

Garrett Todd
garrett (at) impresscallers (dot) com
www.impresscallers.com
877-422-1051
——————————-
WHY CUSTOM ON HOLD MESSAGING?
——————————-

“Because impressing callers and reducing
hang-ups increases profitability.”

Music On Hold Tips | 7 Vital Facts When Placing Your Callers on Hold

Music On Hold

Quick Facts:

~ Silence on hold is a black hole and should be avoided at all costs.

~ Radio on hold, unknown to most, is not legal to use on hold.

~ Music CDs on hold are “single-use” licenses when purchased at a retailer and cannot be legally played back commercially (ie: when putting your callers on hold at your business)

Vital Fact #1: “ “You never get a 2nd chance to make a first impression.” ”

If you put your callers on hold and they are just beginning a relationship with you, the last impression you want to make is a bad one using SILENCE or RADIO. Pathologically, your are putting yourself at a disadvantage by making your business look amateur and small right off the bat.   Professionals do not wok with amateurs.

Vital Fact #2:  New callers are jaded and skeptical when they first contact you (even though they may be friendly) because of past bad experiences with poorly run businesses.

Even though this has nothing to do with you (you may be the best company in the world) the reality is that their defenses are up at this point. Don’t help them justify their skepticism by using SILENCE or RADIO on hold.

Vital Fact #3: By default, first time callers (your prospects) are in a “ fragile” psychological state about your company and their skepticism is paramount.

Similar to fact #2 above, you need to handle your new callers with “kid gloves” and avoid frustration or alienation, which leads to increased hang-ups. Hang-ups cost you money. Again, SILENCE or RADIO is to be avoided at all costs.

Vital Fact #4: Reduce caller skepticism and you make more money.

What you do to neutralize a caller’s skepticism can mean the difference between a long-term profitable relationship or getting a door slammed in your face.

When callers get that “warm fuzzy” feeling that they are dealing with professionals, their defenses go down, and in turn, you sell more to them, with less effort. Everybody wins.

Using custom messaging and music on hold when putting them on hold will make hold times seem shorter AND you can educate your callers while they wait. Educated callers buy more of your goods.

Vital Fact #5: Callers placed on hold in SILENCE report that hold times seem longer than they actually are.

This means that even if they weren’t on hold very long, it SEEMS to them as if they were. Perception IS reality.

Result: Increased caller frustration and increased caller attrition.  Sales => Down

Vital Fact #6: If you alienate your prospect by putting them on hold in silence, they’ll move right down the list of other businesses they have in front of them, and your competitors will enjoy the fruits of their business.

This is an ugly scenario and is a HIDDEN COST to a company.  Point being, the caller still has a need even after they hang up with you, so they will just go right down the list of competitors who can help solve their problem. Do this with regularity, and you will make yourself poor and your competitors rich. Yuck!

Vital Fact #7:  When your competitors gain more market share because callers are migrating from your business to theirs, you go out of business quicker. I’m serious.  Their are a “finite amount” of people (or businesses) who use what you offer.  No more, no less.

Again, the more business your competitors have, the stronger their position. The more clients you give away, the weaker your position. Do not contribute to your own business’s delinquency. Make sure you use a custom on hold music and message to keep your callers “sticky” and on the line to increase your bottom line.

What to do next…

Get a free custom quote and telephone “needs analysis” by visiting Impress Callers right now. www.impresscallers.com

Garrett Todd
www.impresscallers.com
1-877-422-1051

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WHY CUSTOM ON HOLD MESSAGING?
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“Because your image is “On the Line.”

(c) 2007 – Garrett Todd, LLC – Impress Callers – All Rights Reserved

Music On Hold Tips | 7 Do’s and 7 Don’ts When Putting Your Callers On Hold

Here’s where the “rubber meets the road” about music on hold so please listen up. There are a vital few things that you must do AND a vital few things you must NOT do, when placing callers on hold. Learn what they are below…

 

 

7 “Don’ts” When Dealing With Your On Hold Callers:

• Don’t put your callers on hold in silence because 70% hang up within the first minute

• Don’t put you callers on hold in silence because they hate it and it costs you money in lost sales

• Don’t put your callers on hold in silence because it makes you look amateur and unprofessional

• Don’t put your callers on hold using a radio or music CDs because it is illegal and the legal fines are very steep (up to $150,000 per song)

• Don’t alienate callers and indirectly send good business to your competitors

• Don’t think that first time callers aren’t skeptical, jaded, paranoid and untrusting because THEY ARE! Don’t give them a reason to justify their expectations

• Don’t do nothing after reading this report. Act now, while this is fresh in your mind.

 

 

7 “Do’s” When Dealing With Your On Hold Callers:

• Do replace the Silence or Radio and/or Music CDs on hold with a custom, and professional, on hold production.

• Do give your on hold listeners something entertaining to listen to while waiting on hold (custom on hold messaging).

• Do show them that their call is important by letting them know that they are on hold, and you’ll be back to the line shortly.

• Do choose to impress your callers and reduce your hang ups with a custom, and professional, on hold production. (Music on hold)

• Do take the opportunity to communicate with your “ captive audience ” and help them learn how your products and services can help make their lives better, meanwhile increase your profitability .

• Do realize that a custom on hold production is a small investment to make in exchange for reduced hang-ups, more informed / happier callers, and increased profitability.

• Do decide to take action TODAY and learn how you can make your business better by using custom on hold productions. It’s easy.

If you’d like to learn more…

Get a free custom quote and telephone “needs analysis” by visiting Impress Callers right now. www.impresscallers.com

 

Garrett Todd
garrett (at) impresscallers (dot) com
www.impresscallers.com

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WHY CUSTOM ON HOLD MESSAGING?
——————————-

“Because your image is “on the line.”