When business owners think about selling a new selling tool, they often think of CRM software, email marketing, sales presentations, or online advertising. But one useful selling tool may already be part of your business: your telephone system.
Every time a customer calls, you have an opportunity to make a positive impression, answer questions, and share information about what you offer. And if callers sometimes have to wait on hold, that waiting time can become an opportunity to educate them about your services.
The key is to give callers information that is useful, relevant, and easy to understand.
What Makes a Good Selling Tool?
A good selling tool helps customers understand your services and recognize how those services might benefit them.
It doesn’t have to pressure people into buying. Instead, it makes important information available when customers need it.
Consider these examples:
- Auto repair shops: Let callers know about tire services, preventive maintenance, or seasonal vehicle inspections.
- Plumbing companies: Explain services such as leak detection, water heater replacement, or preventive plumbing maintenance.
- Real estate professionals: Realtors can Introduce property management, rental services, or assistance with preparing a home for sale.
- Dental practices: Inform callers about additional services the practice provides and how to arrange a consultation.
- Hotels: Highlight meeting facilities, extended stays, dining options, or other amenities.
- Moving companies: Moving Companies Explain packing services, storage options, and other ways to simplify a move.
In each case, the goal is the same: help customers discover services they may not realize are available.
Turn On-Hold Time Into a Selling Opportunity
When customers call your business and are placed on hold, what do they hear?
If they hear only silence or repetitive music, you’re missing an opportunity to communicate with them.
Professional messages on hold allow you to share information about your services while callers wait. You can introduce additional offerings, answer common questions, announce seasonal services, or explain what makes your business different.
For example, a caller contacting an auto repair shop about a repair might hear about its maintenance services. A customer calling a moving company might learn that packing assistance is available.
The caller may not need those services today. But when the need arises, they’ll already know where to turn.
That’s what makes messages on hold a useful selling tool. They help keep your services in front of people who are already contacting your business.
Educate Customers Instead of Giving Them a Sales Pitch
The most effective messages provide useful information rather than simply repeating a promotional slogan.
Think about what customers commonly ask your staff. What services do they overlook? What questions could you answer before someone even speaks with an employee?
Use those answers to develop messages that are informative and relevant.
For example, instead of simply announcing that your company offers maintenance plans, explain why regular maintenance can help customers stay on top of routine service.
Instead of just listing additional services, describe how they address common customer needs.
When customers understand the value of a service, they can decide whether it’s right for them.
Make Every Selling Tool Work Together
Messages on hold work best as part of a broader effort to communicate with customers.
Your website can provide detailed service information. Your social media posts can answer common questions. Your email communications can introduce relevant offerings. Your employees can continue the conversation when a customer expresses interest.
Each channel reinforces the others.
Messages on hold add another touchpoint, helping you communicate with callers even when your team is busy assisting someone else.
Put A New Tool to Work in Your Business
You don’t always need another advertising campaign or a larger sales team to uncover new opportunities. Sometimes, you can start by making better use of the customer interactions you already have.
Take a look at your current phone experience. Are callers learning anything useful about your business while they wait?
With Informer Messages on Hold, you can turn hold time into an opportunity to educate callers, highlight your services, and help customers discover more ways to do business with you.
Your callers are already listening. Give them something useful to hear. Find out how by calling (800) 862-8896. Or Click Here for more information.
