With the holiday season fast approaching, it's a good idea to consider using seasonal greetings on your small business's phones. While Easybee virtual receptionists can help you field the influx of calls that's sure to happen with any busy season, consider using seasonal greetings to keep your customers in the festive holiday spirit. Here are four ways to infuse the holidays into your small business's phones.
1. Use a holiday telephone greeting when answering customer calls
If you're running an HVAC, plumbing, or real estate business, the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving and Christmas can be exceptionally busy times. Providing a friendly holiday greeting is a great opportunity to express your gratitude to your clients and customers while keeping them in a warm, festive mood.
This could be as simple as tacking a friendly “Happy Holidays” onto the beginning of your usual greeting: “Happy Holidays, thank you for calling (name of business), this is Sarah, how can I help you?”
2. Promote any holiday specials in your custom on-hold messaging
Running a holiday special or discount on heating or an oil change? Make it part of your on-hold message, where you explain the discount and how much customers can save by using your service. This can help work in your favor for your business and help increase sales. Many businesses who depend on customers for their success use this strategy as an effective marketing tool.
3. Select festive on-hold music
While keeping in mind that not all customers celebrate the same holidays, it's still a good idea to feature seasonal, festive music while customers wait on hold. Popular choices include “Winter Wonderland,” “Sleigh Ride” or “It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”
Choose your songs carefully, though: Some carols may sound too loud or obnoxious on the phone, and try to stay away from those that blantantly mention specific holidays as not all customers will be celebrating the same ones.
Some businesses may choose to play the classical versions of these seasonal songs. When customers listen to these songs while they wait to speak with you, it can help them feel calm and at ease. This is especially effective for customers who may calling about a problem.
4. Provide a special holiday hours message
If your business is closed for any days leading up to the holiday or if your business hours are shortened, this is also something that's good to feature on your on-hold message. This helps keep your customers in the loop.
When you take the time to implement these seasonal changes, it can help ensure your customers stay in the holiday spirit as you keep them informed.
