What happens when you call a business for help? Most likely you get asked to wait “on hold.” And then you listen to music on hold. (Hint: it’s never your favorite music!)In fact, most of what you hear on hold is licensed music on hold . That’s important.
Licensed music on hold is a special kind of music that you can play on your business telephone system on hold.
Why do businesses use licensed music on hold?
Why do businesses use licensed music on hold? It’s strange to realize, but when you buy music (at iTunes, or elsewhere on line, or even in a store where you get a CD or Vinyl) you don’t really own the music. You just buy the right to use it for your own enjoyment.
Play it all you want, just don’t use it for your business, or in a public “performance” (like in a concert, on the radio, or even on your phone system. To do that you have to have (purchase) permission. You have to buy the “rights” to do so.
Playing music on your phone system requires this same kind of permission. That’s why it’s important to only play “licensed music on hold.”
Can your favorite song be licensed music on hold?
Sure. Almost any music can be licensed, for almost any purpose. That’s why special music licensing organizations like ASCAP and BMI were formed. They protect musicians and composers from having their music used without permission. That would actually be stealing it from them.
And since stealing is against the law (You and I aren’t lawyers, but we can understand this simple idea) you shouldn’t do it.
What’s the solution to licensed music on hold?
Simple. Purchase licensed music. There are organizations with libraries filled with licensed music that you can purchase. Buy one song, or lots. Depending on what you want, it can be inexpensive. Or expensive.
Is there a better solution for licensed music on hold?
Yes there is. It’s not using just licensed music on hold. (What?) The solution is a combination of licensed music on hold and information. Because when someone calls your business they’re not calling to be entertained by music on hold. They’re calling for information. For help. And to see if you’re the one who can help them.
Informer Messages on hold are specially written marketing messages that your callers hear on hold, with licensed music in the background (so every recording we create is 100% legal). The key thing is the messages: they talk about the ideas that are important to your callers. Their “hot buttons.” So they’re interested right from the start. The licensed music in the background? It’s just in the background. It’s played to give your callers a few moments to think about what they’ve heard. About how you can help them best.
Free Offer
Want to find out about something better than just licensed music on hold? Call for a Free 15-minute Discovery Session to learn more about how much better Informer Messages can be…for your telephone callers, and for your business.