Will messages on hold work with my phone system?

Nearly 100% of the time the answer is YES! If your business uses a PBX or VoIP type system there is typically an input clearly marked (MOH or Music) on the central phone unit. Installation is often as simple as making the connection from the output of the player to the input on your phone system using the supplied audio cables. If you are unable to locate such an input, you may need to consult your system manual or phone vendor. Professional installation and programming is sometimes required.

If you do not have a phone “system”, but rather have a couple of lines or even a single line, you can still implement on hold messaging with the use of analog line adapters at your phone stations. Or, we have also found a very nice, modestly priced 2-line professional business-style phone/speakerphone that comes with an input for music on hold built in!  Please ask for more information.

How long will the player last—since it’s playing all the time?

A long time! Even though the audio is playing all the time, nothing is moving inside the machine. The most popular unit we currently sell allows us to record and ship your production on CD or an SD flash memory card. If delivered on CD, when placed in the machine, the CD is played one time during which the audio is recorded onto flash memory inside the machine. It is from this flash memory that your message plays—nothing moving, nothing wears out. We’ve had units in the field for over 10 years now with a minimal rate of failure. The units we sell come with a 3-yr warranty.

Does my message start at the beginning for every call placed on hold?

No. The audio program will run on a loop in its entirety. It plays all the way through and then starts over. It is possible for callers to drop in in the middle of a message, however, we construct your production so this works to your advantage—by allowing callers to hear a varied rotation of content.

How many messages can I have in my production?

Typically anywhere from 8 to 12 topics can be covered. Productions run from 4 to 6 minutes in length. Most businesses choose to have message segments around 20 seconds in length and musical interludes of 8 to 10 seconds between each message.

In some cases—say if you’re having a sale you want to promote heavily—you may only want 3 or 4 topics covered, so that the information repeats more often. The beauty is that it’s entirely up to you. We’ll work with you so that your messages provide maximum impact.

How long does it take to get started?

Usually we can have you up and running in two weeks or less. We start by finding out what your objectives are with your on hold messages—do you want to use it primarily for promotion or more as a customer service tool? Quite often you can do both! We’ll gather information from you about your products and services and then write a first draft and email or fax it to your for changes and review. This process may require two or three drafts and several days to complete. Once we have your script finalized we’ll schedule it for production—usually within 2 to 5 days. Then the production is mailed or emailed (for faster service if you are equipped to burn your own CD).

Can I select the background music and voiceover talent?

Yes, with some limitations. Since music used is subject to licensing restrictions (due to copyright laws) we cannot use just any music. Doorman Productions has either acquired the license to use music from a third party or produced music in house which will be used in your productions. We are usually able to meet your request for a particular style of music, but not for specific songs or recordings.

Unless otherwise requested, your production will be voiced by Doorman Productions’ founder and owner, Scott Dohrmann. If you prefer a different voice, we can employ the talents of several other world-class voiceover artists, both male and female at no additional charge.

Sounds great, but how much is it?

When you consider the cost on a per impression basis, advertising on hold is one of the most cost effective forms of advertising ever conceived. Whether your business places 10 or 10,000 calls on hold per day, over time the cost is literally only pennies (or less) per contact. Please visit our Pricing page for complete details.

Do you offer a “No Questions Asked” money-back guarantee?

NO! We’re gonna ask you some questions. (How’s that for honesty?) But YES we offer a 30-day money back guarantee. We’ll try to do whatever we can to make you happy, but if you’re not, just send it back and we’ll give you a complete refund.

How do I cancel my service?

Since our monthly payment structure allows us to get paid in full only after a year, we ask that you maintain service for at least one year initially. We will automatically renew your service for subsequent years, however you may cancel at any time after the first year by simply giving us a call at 1.800.581.6847.

We do, however, ask that you pay the full value of any productions done for you up to that point. For example, if you are on a single update/yr plan and you cancel 6 months into your second year—we ask that you pay the remaining balance for that production (or the amount equal to the 6 remaining payments). If you update quarterly and you cancel one month after receiving an update, we ask that you pay the balance for the value of that update, or continue to make your normal payment for another two months.

The great news—and another reason to choose On Hold Power—is that  any previously used and fully paid for productions are yours to keep and use for as long as you want! We do hope you’ll give us a call though when you need future updates!