If you are in business then you probably put people on hold.  If you do that and they don't hear anything that is a big problem.  In fact, you will not always keep them on the line.  If you put them on hold and pipe in your favorite radio station that might be good for the radio station but not good for you.

A business owner that doesn't want to miss a beat will use message on hold to upsell to clients while they are waiting to be served.  There are many options out there.  You can buy a special system that plays a cd or you can get a simple low cost cd player with continuous play and a jack into your phone system.  You can use a generic recording or you can invest in a customized recording that sells for you whenever your customers are on hold.

Here are a few things to remember it is great to have your hours of operation and location on your message, but, make sure you are including items or services that you offer that the average caller DOES NOT call for.  For instance if you sell Hot Tubs the chances are your caller already knows that when they call.  Upsell them the latest Hot Tub cover or other add on item.  Something that they can think "hey I might need one of those".  Give them a paragraph that shines the spotlight on the latest in Hot Tubs.  Do not make your paragraphs too long.  4 lines no more...thank you for holding...Remember the goal is to upsell and educate but do not be boring.

Most companies, ours included, offer you a variety of options in creating a personalized on hold cd.  Different voices, multiple voices, male voices, female voices, and even jingle on hold...Singing Voices!  You can expect to pay on average $125 to $400 per message on hold cd with anywhere from 8 to 12 messages.  (in our case we've taken our lowest priced $125 package...a 1 male voice 8 paragraph cd with royalty free music and allow people on Ebay Only to bid on it starting at $39)  With Direct buyers we are unable to go lower than $125, but on Ebay that is possible.  Not as much foot work on our part.

Often business owners want to cut corners in places that should not be taken for granted.  Message on Hold is one of those places because it is actually an opportunity to increase your business.  It's one of the most targeted forms of marketing available.  The client has called you...The client knows what you do and they are in the market for something....that's why they are on hold....learning about other things you have to offer.  If you get 15 calls a day and they each spend 30 seconds on hold you've pitched approximately 2 products or services to 75 people in one 5 day work week.  You'll probably upsell some of those.  Chances are what you sell will come out to far more than what you pay to have your message on hold produced 4 or 5 times a year.  It's like anything else in business you have to do the math. 

This is one of those things that business owners can safely say is an investment in their business.  O.k. I think they've heard about 7 messages in the time that it's taken you to read this...you probably ought to get back on the line.