Frequently Asked Questions

On average, 10 to 15 seconds of music plays between each message. Keep your audience in mind: musical breaks that are too long are boring, but too much messaging is overwhelming. In most cases, 10 to 15 seconds is just right.

It is illegal to play copyrighted music for commercial use (which includes your on hold programming) without paying royalties. Music provided by Holdcom use is royalty free because Holdcom licenses it for Message On Hold usage.

There are many common myths and misunderstandings about music licensing. We’ve compiled a list to help you make the right decision about legally licensed music – click here to read more.

In short, no. Music played to callers on hold must be licensed for this type of use. By playing unlicensed music, legal action can be taken against your business. The music in Holdcom’s vast library is fully licensed for Message On Hold usage.

This strict synchronization and performance licensing ensures all parties are legally protected.

For the typical 4-minute on hold message, we recommend no more than 2 music themes. Having too much variation in music can distract your audience. Longer programs can accommodate more music themes. To sample our music, please visit our production music library.

Almost all phone systems* manufactured today have Message On Hold capability, but to determine exactly what you have before your purchase a Message On Hold system, it is best to check with your phone system vendor.

*This does not include phones purchased off the shelf at office supply stores such as Staples and Officemax. For the most part, these phones do not have the Message On Hold capability built-in. Add-ons are available for some models but their functionality can be problematic or inconvenient for the user. The best course of action is to upgrade to either a basic key phone system or one of the new virtual phone systems, for which Holdcom is a key audio production supplier. Contact Us for more information.

On average, 10 to 15 seconds of music plays between each message. Keep your audience in mind: musical breaks that are too long are boring, but too much messaging is overwhelming. In most cases, 10 to 15 seconds is just right.

As an essential component of your marketing and customer service efforts, Message On Hold will reinforce your organization’s message in other mediums. Its effectiveness can be judged by satisfied callers, ready to do business. Often, our clients report that their Message On Hold programs informs their callers about products, services, or promotions that the callers were previously unaware of.

Yes. Holdcom can readily incorporate client supplied audio components (with permission and licensing) into its Message On Hold programs. Upon request, we can include messages from CEOs and Presidents, company jingles, radio excerpts, television ads, or any other existing content.

For the best results, we recommend a studio recording of your representative’s voice. If needed, we can also arrange remote voice recording via telephone or smartphone app. Most often, a “special message from the CEO/President” will be a component of an on hold program, with the remaining messages recorded by one of our professional voice talents. This maintains a “spokesperson” approach and creates a distinction between standard content and the CEO’s announcement.

Changes can be made quickly and easily. Your Client Relations representative will work with your Script Consultant to create scripts that reflect your changing needs and situations. Our specialized Message On Hold equipment features advanced technology that expedites the updating process.

Your Message On Hold content should be updated in conjunction with changing information at your company. These changes might include marketing efforts, customer service strategies, policies, promotions, or other news.

Working with Holdcom to keep your program up to date is easy. Just tell your Client Relations Representative and Script Consultant the information and they’ll revise your script. They can replicate your advertising from newspaper or television ads, follow your social media updates, and check your website.

If you use social media to promote your business or have a newsletter, make sure your Client Relations representative and Script Consultant are on the distribution lists, so they can be sure to include any relevant content.

Almost all phone systems* manufactured today have Message On Hold capability, but to determine exactly what you have before your purchase a Message On Hold system, it is best to check with your phone system vendor.

*This does not include phones purchased off the shelf at office supply stores such as Staples and Officemax. For the most part, these phones do not have the Message On Hold capability built-in. Add-ons are available for some models but their functionality can be problematic or inconvenient for the user. The best course of action is to upgrade to either a basic key phone system or one of the new virtual phone systems, for which Holdcom is a key audio production supplier. Contact Us for more information.

Holdcom continuously monitors usage and content, and provides update reminders from your Client Relations representative and your Script Consultant.

To keep the information in your program current, you should review your script whenever your business has updated policies or procedures, new promotions or special offers, or changing customer service strategies.

Although most clients select just one voice talent to read their entire script, some choose two voices for a more interesting finished product. The most common choice is to have both a male and female read the script in an alternating format.

A typical Message On Hold program is 4 minutes long. Because a voice over talent typically reads between 100 and 112 words per minute, the script for a four-minute program can be up to 400 words, allowing for four to six paragraphs or messages, interspersed by brief intervals of music. Longer audio storage and program lengths are available if necessary.

A script is the product of your message and our expertise. A Message On Hold program is more than a script with words and music, it reflects your marketing objectives, current advertising and promotions, dedication to customer service, and long-term goals. When it’s time to write your script, you have two choices: You can use your knowledge of your business to write your own script or provide your information to one of our Script Consultants who will do the writing and send the copy to you for final approval.

Every client is assigned a personal Script Consultant as well as a Client Relations representative

Message On Hold is the narration accompanied by music that callers hear when they are on hold or in queue. It is an audio program that continuously loops and the caller is dropped into it and out of at random.

Voice Prompts are specific announcements that provide options for callers to navigate a phone system to obtain audio information or ultimately reach a live person. They are generally not accompanied by music.

Yes. Holdcom has full multilingual production capabilities. We can record virtually any language you require, and if necessary, we have full translation services available.

If you don’t see the language you need on our voice talent roster, please contact us to discuss your needs, and we’ll get you the right voice for your project.

Audio marketing services provided by companies like Holdcom, including Message On Hold, Voice Prompt Production, and Website Audio, provide extremely high ROI (Return on Investment).This is because they reach a targeted, highly motivated audience: customers who have reached out to your company, your industry, or your type of services.

Audio is an extremely accessible and compelling medium that allows businesses to reach and influence potential customers like no other platform available, at extremely affordable rates. In a difficult economy (to paraphrase), Message On Hold and Web Audio, “are the marketing services you (seek and) keep.”

Professional audio can make a major difference if you’re producing videos, eLearning applications, and interactive digital content. It will help differentiate your business and send the right message loud and clear to your clients.

Yes. The App is capable of creating two completely distinct audio zones – with music and/or messages on each zone.

Yes. A three month subscription to our Business Music Service is required. All music is provided using underlying agreements to maintain compliance with U.S. copyright law. Our agreement is your verification to the Performance Rights Organizations (ASCAP and BMI).

We believe this is the shortest agreement term in the industry. Your complete satisfaction is our goal.

Our solution maintains strict compliance with U.S. copyright law. Royalties are included for the purpose of ambient music and telephone on-hold music. We offer ALL Major Labels and thousand of songs by Independent Label Artists.

No. Our App runs on Windows. If you decide you want the player as a separate piece of hardware we have that available. The current price is $299.

You register with us here, then download and install our Player App on your Windows PC. The free trial is really free, no credit card information is needed to sign up.

Click Here for a Free Trial of Holdcom’s Overhead Music for Business Solution

Yes we can. Our overhead music solution come pre-programmed with professionally designed playlists that you can use as is, modify, or blend with additional playlists. Plus, our audio producers will use their experience working with sound to help you create unique playlists perfect for your clientele.

Music programming expertise is on stand-by to help you whenever you ask.

We use a network of Independent Audio Installers across the United States to help you with audio system installation.

Yes. We provide background music content that plugs into your music amplifier or stereo receiver using a standard RCA connection.

No. Only the Account owner, with secure ID and password, can make updates.

You can hear your programming changes (e.g. changing music, adding new messages) automatically in less than one hour!

No way! Using your on-line account, you are in 100% control 24/7/365 of all music and message playback. We’re here if you need advice or help.

Yes. The output from our solution is in mono format. Just let us know you’re using stereo when you order and we’ll include a free signal-splitter to provide content for both stereo channels.

There are a number of ways that the Holdcom overhead music solution pays for itself. First and foremost, it enhances the shopping experience: customers will enjoy being in your store, and they will spend more time shopping. Your customers become a captive audience, exposed to your advertising and promotional messages delivered to them at scheduled intervals, creating buying incentives.

Holdcom’s partnership with UMix stands out in three main areas:

• First is our Philosophy. We believe 100% in the self-directed consumer. We’re not about telling you what you should have, we’re about helping you get what you want. Our role is to give you the best toolset on the planet to make that happen.
• Second is Technology. We offer no satellite service; we do not mail CD’s; you don’t even need to purchase hardware! Our Internet-based software gives you a combination of control and ease-of-use you won’t believe.
• The third is Approach. No long-term agreements. No gimmicks. No nickel and dime add-ons. Just a great product at a fair price.

Yes. No matter what the size of your business, we have a solution for you.

Experience shows that only a solid-state digital announcer will provide the reliability and maintenance free operation necessary to take full advantage of our Message On Hold communication services. Consumer mp3 and CD Players are not built or designed for continuous play like Message On Hold digital players.

In most cases, they will not. Since a Message On Hold program is a continuous loop, repeat callers will hear different parts of the program. However, over time, repeat callers will hear the same message, which is why it is important to keep your messages current and fresh.

Most often, no. Your program is a continuous loop that is always playing. A person put on hold enters the message at the moment they are put on hold. Our scripts are structured to create a positive on hold experience at virtually any point of entry.

Certain VOiP systems allow for or require that the Message On Hold program starts at the beginning every time a caller is put on hold, but this is subject to system configuration. You should contact your phone vendor or IT department for more information.

It depends upon your system’s setup and capabilities. The program you create can be heard by whatever lines are served by the music on hold port. To be sure about which lines will hear the message you create, you should contact your IT department or phone vendor.

Almost all phone systems* manufactured today have Message On Hold capability, but to determine exactly what you have before your purchase a Message On Hold system, it is best to check with your phone system vendor.

*This does not include phones purchased off the shelf at office supply stores such as Staples and Officemax. For the most part, these phones do not have the Message On Hold capability built-in. Add-ons are available for some models but their functionality can be problematic or inconvenient for the user. The best course of action is to upgrade to either a basic key phone system or one of the new virtual phone systems, for which Holdcom is a key audio production supplier. Contact Us for more information.

Voice Production cost is based on the word count, number of prompts or files, and choice of voice talent. Productions can be as low as $71 at our online store for minimum word and prompt count. Volume discounts apply: as the word count goes up, the cost per word goes down.

Our best prices for jobs under 10 prompts can be found at our online Audio Production Store. You can also request a custom quote or contact us at 800-666-6465 to discuss your specific project.

Yes. Our team of script consultants reviews every script that is submitted. They will review your script and contact you if we have any questions about information, syntax, or pronunciation.

Once a script is approved or when we receive a studio-ready script, the production will be completed within three business days. Scripts that require development by our Script Consultants are created in a few days but are subject to the time required for customer feedback and approval. After approval, the three business days timeline applies. If you are working with a premium voice over talent, the timeline might be extended.