“MOH” is the industry abbreviation for Music on hold, a standard feature on most phone systems (PBX’s), and now on hosted “VoIP” phones. The abbrevision has become widespread, playing music from the radio, your “used to be favorite” cassette or CD, your newest purchase on iTunes, and, of course, elevator music. (Note: music on hold should be properly licensed to be legal. Just because you buy a song from iTunes doesn’t mean you can legally play it as MOH. Check out ASCAP, BMI, or others music licensing organizations to try to figure out the fees…you’ll be amazed at how high they are, and shocked at the potential fines from using unlicensed MOH).
MOH holds on to callers
MOH was introduced by large airline and hotel “call centers” to “hold on” to callers, and give them a reason not to hang up. We all know how long it can take to reach “the next available representative” and decent music can make the time seem less painful. There was even a company that specialized in “elevator music” (also used as music on hold) that “entertained” us since the 60’s!
MOH can mean more
We’ve come up with another meaning for MOH. It’s Messages on hold. That’s because no one really likes the music they hear on hold. When your hold music is replaced with marketing messages, your callers hear and learn about you when they’re already most interested in you: they’ve picked up the phone to call you for your help. They’re in the “buying mode” (think “feeding frenzy”!) When could possibly be better to let them know all the best ways you can help them, what you’ve got that they could possibly want, and how you’re different from your competition?
Not sure if your this can be more effective than music on hold? Let us tell you about the Stamford, Connecticut hardware store that has shoppers asking for products they never asked for before, the tent company that tells callers about how their unique service has made them the dominant player in their industry on the East Coast, and the Financial services company that doesn’t make the mistakes that annoy customers. Then lets talk about your best opportunities to turn MOH into Marketing on hold! In Stamford, and throughout Connecticut, call 203-655-3920. Nationwide, call 800-862-8896.