Messages on Hold: Your Brand’s Secret Superpower
Let’s be honest, being put on hold is nobody’s favourite part of the day. But what if that “dead air” moment could actually work for your business instead of against it?
Messages on hold, the not-so-secret tool smart brands use to turn waiting time into meaningful, engaging brand time. Whether your customer is calling to place an order, ask a question, or (uh oh) make a complaint, what they hear while on hold sets the tone for what comes next.
It’s Not Just Holding… It’s Communicating
Imagine this: A customer calls your business and instead of sitting in silence or hearing a generic loop of elevator music, they hear a calm, friendly voice letting them know about your store hours, a current promotion, or even a reminder that their call is important.
Now you’ve gone from, “Ugh, waiting again” to “Hey, good to know!” It’s a subtle but powerful shift, and it only takes a few seconds.
Messages on hold aren’t filler. They’re micro-conversations. They give you a chance to speak directly to your caller, answer questions, highlight your value, and reinforce your brand.
What Makes a Good On Hold Message?
A good message doesn’t just drone on about company history or list every product you sell. It talks to the customer, not at them. The best on hold messages are:
- Short and helpful – Respect people’s time and get to the point
- Clear and conversational – No stiff corporate speak or over-the-top radio voices
- Brand-consistent – Friendly? Professional? Quirky? Make sure your tone fits
- Timely – Update your messages seasonally or when something big is happening
A dentist office might use on hold messages to remind patients about new services or insurance policies. A hotel might talk about upcoming events or local attractions. A tech company? Troubleshooting tips or cool feature highlights. The point is, it’s your voice, just while they wait.
Music + Messaging = A Winning Combo
Here’s where it gets even better: pair those messages with smooth, royalty-free background music. It’s a total vibe upgrade. The music sets the mood and keeps things flowing, while the voice keeps the caller engaged. It’s like your own branded radio station… but just for people who call you.
Just make sure the music and messaging are mixed professionally. You don’t want the music blasting over the voice, or weird gaps that feel like something broke.
Keep It Legal, Keep It Professional
And yes, we have to say it, don’t stream pop songs or random music on your hold line unless you’ve got proper licenses (which, spoiler alert, you probably don’t). Using licensed or royalty-free audio keeps you safe and sounding polished.
Want Custom Messages on Hold That Don’t Sound Like Everyone Else?
If you’re ready to level up your phone game, check out Amazing Voice.
They make it easy to get professionally recorded messages on hold, complete with background music that actually sounds good over the phone. Whether you know exactly what you want or need help writing your script from scratch, they’ve got you covered, and your callers will thank you.
