When you put callers on hold, what does your phone system let them listen to? Music? News? Why not use this time to plug your goods or services? Short 20-30 second “commercials” in between songs can tell your customers of special sales, discounts, freebies or deals they cannot refuse. A good example of this would be when you call Dominos Pizza. When they place you on hold you hear wonderful deals about their specials like, two topping pizzas, sweet cinnamon bread sticks and 2-liter soda bottles.

You can also use on-hold messages to send callers to your web site by promising them access to free information. In fact, on-hold messages can prove to work so well for you that you might want to consider putting callers on hold for a mandatory one or two minutes before taking any calls (but bear in mind – no more than two minutes or you might lose them). Should it be necessary to put callers on hold for longer periods, don’t let them suffer through endless spiels and commercials – put the music back on….. please!

2 Ways to use your Business Cards Successfully
by Ron E. Gielgun

1. Make your business card unique and graphically appealing

Once in a while, even the most untidy of business people will sort through their various business cards accumulated and throw away the least important ones. However, interesting or unusual business cards may be allowed to remain regardless of their immediate importance. To make sure your cards survive this selection process, make them unique and graphically appealing.

-> Choose an intriguing color scheme
-> Have important or useful data printed on the back
-> Use holograms and optical illusions
-> Use translucent plastic instead of paper

If your card looks expensive, it will be harder for your prospects to dispose of it.

2. Your business card must be worth money to prospects

Prospects will not throw away your business cards if they are worth something to them. Useful information printed on the back of the business card might help. However, for prospects to think of your card as a real windfall, which should never be thrown away, its value must translate into dollars and cents. To do this, contact

-> Local restaurants
-> Barber shops
-> Pizza parlors
-> Photos
-> Fast food chains

Get them to give anyone presenting your business card a discount on their products or services.

They will not be doing you any favors by agreeing - it is you who will be giving them free publicity and who will be referring new customers to them. In return, your card will become a discount card that is not only worth saving, but that your prospects will want to carry with them at all times. Have the business card made with durable material (e.g. plastic)

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