worrylines

If Baby Boomers can get botox and tummy tucks, then why don t companies receive facelifts to improve their image as well? The telephone is the lifeblood of any business. Use it respectfully. Don t leave your clients on-hold to listen to radio static or elevator music. With digital recording and delivery of sound files, professional production of on-hold advertising is both economical and necessary for a positive image. That s right it s imperative that the first impression a client receives of your business (even though they may never visit) is how they re treated on the telephone. How many times have you called a business to hear Thank you for calling ABC Dental Office please hold before you can get a word in edge-wise. In many cases , what they have on-hold is your first impression of that company.

Music Selection Should be Appealing

At the very least, make certain on-hold music is a decent selection, and that you have permission to broadcast the music to on-hold callers. After all the music chosen is a direct reflection of your business. If you don t get your licensed music from an On-Hold Message provider, you may obtain permission to play certain music on-hold from ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC, the three large performing rights organizations.

Develop Content That Sells Products and Services

Customers who are on-hold are essentially a captive audience. If you want on-hold time to turn into sales, consider hiring a professional producer to mix radio style commercials with licensed music. The copy should be specifically written to cross-sell your products and services. AT&T studies show that people will stay on-hold longer if they hear messages about your company during the waiting period. Do not rely on the please hold for personal assistance to your call, or thank you for your patience while on hold type of messages. I believe these type of messages hurt you more than help you.

Answer Repetitive Questions On-Hold

As you re on-hold spots are developed, remember this marketing strategy is a customer service tool as well as an advertising tool. Take the heat from your receptionist during busy call periods and answer those repetitive questions in on-hold spots.

On-Hold Advertising is Economical

Advertising sales are based on the number of impressions. If a business had one call placed on hold every ten minutes during an eight hour day 5 days per week, there would be 11,000 opportunities each year to market their business and services.

How to Evaluate an On- Hold Company

Make certain you get both male and female voice talent, and that the professional voice is pleasing. The studio you use should employ scriptwriters and offer a selection of licensed music to choose from. You choose the music from their library, not the on-hold company. You don t want the same stale music everyone else uses. In most cases all that is needed is an inexpensive off-the-shelf CD player.

Facts About On-Hold Advertising

Eighty percent of businesses have nothing on-hold, so businesses that do set up programs are on the cutting edge. Twelve percent of businesses do have a radio or CD tuned in while their customers are on-hold. Only 8% of businesses have on-hold programs,

The number of companies who use on-hold as a time to advertise are growing. That s because business owners are realizing there s no better way to impress a client who has never been to your office than a well designed, informative on-hold program. Remember in today s competitive market, image is everything. On-Hold advertising is one of the best facelifts a company could have.

About The Author

R.J. Paradee is a composer, arranger, lyricist, recording artist and host of the coast in his Virginia Beach studio where he produces First Impression digital audio. His new company, Media Right Studios, offers affordable digital video production for small and large businesses across the United States.
rj@hearditonhold.com

This article was posted on January 28, 2004

Wrinkles are quite literally a sign of the times. They are caused by both genetic and environmental factors such as sunlight, make up, chemical ridden cosmetics, cigarette smoke, and other pollutants. But regardless of their cause, many women find their laugh lines to be no laughing matter. So what can we do to prevent and stall the skin damage that causes wrinkles, laugh lines, age spots, and other bothersome blemishes?

How Can I Prevent Wrinkles?

The best way to prevent wrinkles is to follow a regular skin care routine, and to adamantly protect your face from the detrimental effects of the sun. You need to cleanse your skin on a daily basis to remove the perspiration, debris, and pollutants that can buildup and damage your pores. And use a natural sunscreen (with a minimum SPF 15) to shield your face from the sun s damaging ultraviolet rays. Also, avoid smoking, alcohol, and caffeinated beverages that dehydrate the skin. Drink plenty of purified water to keep your skin supple, hydrated and healthy.

When Should I Start Using Anti-Wrinkle Creams?

You can start using anti-wrinkle creams before you even see a wrinkle appear. Eye creams in particular are effective at supporting the delicate area around the eyes and preventing or stalling the development of wrinkles. Many women (and men) start using anti wrinkle creams in their thirties. The skin s natural levels of collagen diminish with age and anti-wrinkle creams may offer a suitable replacement. These creams may be too heavy for younger, thicker skin, so you ll have to determine whether or not they re right for your skin type. I recommend using all-natural products, organically certified if possible.

How Can I Diminish Wrinkles?

There are numerous products and techniques available today to help you diminish the appearance of wrinkles. Herbal creams and vitamin supplements can be used to reduce the effects of aging on the skin. You must choose which product or method is best for you based on the number and severity of your wrinkles and the level at which they bother you.

Anti-Aging Products and Ingredients

Vitamin A: Vitamin A yields a slight inflammatory action on the skin. It can help to puff up the skin and diminish the depth of many wrinkles.

Vitamin C: This water-soluble vitamin helps to improve circulation and boost the production of collagen within the body. It has a brightening affect on skin that has become dull and dry with age.

Vitamin E: Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps to protect skin from the damaging effect of free radicals. It also strengthens the immune system, improves circulation, and protects red blood cell membranes.

Coenzyme Q10: This powerful antioxidant is effective at protecting the skin from free radical damage and improving circulation throughout the body. Coenzyme Q10 can be found in oral vitamin supplements or as an ingredient in skin care creams.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids: AHA s or fruit acids help to slough off dead skin cells that can dull the skin s appearance.

Anti Aging Procedures

Botox: Botox or botulinum endotoxin-A can produce dramatic anti aging results, similar to surgery, without the devastating side effects. Botox is a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It causes a slight paralysis of the muscles around the wrinkles. This can diminish the appearance of motion wrinkles, such as laugh lines and crow s feet. The procedure to have Botox injected under the skin can be quite costly and it s effects are only temporary, so it must be repeated several times throughout the year.

Dermabrasion: This is a procedure that utilizes microcrystals or other sanding equipment to scrape away facial skin around the affected area. It is a costly procedure that my actually require a recovery of several weeks.

Laser Resurfacing: Laser surgery is a technique that uses a controlled laser beam to remove the upper layer of damaged skin. It can visibly reduce the appearance of fine line and in come cases, deeper wrinkles. It is one of the most popular procedures in cosmetic surgery today. However, it is an invasive surgical procedure that also has risks such as excessive scarring, infection, loss of normal skin pigmentation, skin redness and dryness.

Chemical Peels: As frightening as it seems, chemical peels actually involve applying a chemical substance to your skin that burns off the damaged layers. The gentlest type of chemical peel available is the glycolic acid peel that removes dead skin cells from the upper layer of skin only. These treatments are quick and are often referred to as lunchtime peels, as they may only require ten to fifteen minutes in the doctor s office. However, the results of chemical peels are only temporary and the procedure must be repeated frequently.

To learn more about skin care visit http://www.skin-care-support.org.

About The Author

Dr. Group, the founder/CEO and clinical director for the Global Healing Center, heads a research and development team producing advanced, new, natural health protocols and products. To learn more visit http://www.ghchealth.com.

myoung@virante.com

This article was posted on April 20, 2005