Top 3 Reasons To Use Audio Testimonials

Imagine hearing a sales pitch as part of a glossy, corporate advert - it might make you sit up and take notice but it won't always guarantee a sales conversion because you're well aware by now that adverts are designed to make goods and services look impressive.

Now, imagine you hear the same pitch but from an ordinary customer like yourself. They have no interest in communicating their positive experience other than a desire to help potential customers like you make the right consumer choice. The chances are, you'll take what they have to say very seriously.

Research detailed in this post shows how customer testimonials have become the most effectives means of content marketing. If your business isn't using them, here's three clinching arguments to start using them now.

1 - Customer testimonials have the highest effectiveness rating for all types of content marketing, with a conversion rating of 89%.
With such a strong conversion rate, why wouldn't you invest in having some created? Find some happy customers and ask them to take a moment to record their positive experiences. Don't put words in their mouths, just let them say what they feel is appropriate.

2 - A website visitor will stay an average of 2 minutes longer on a site after they've watched a testimonial video.
Once they've watched a testimonial video, the average website visitor will have been assured of the credibility of your product or services. They're therefore much more likely to stay viewing your website for longer, and ultimately to become a customer.

3 - 79% of consumers trust customer reviews as much as personal recommendations.
We all trust a personal recommendation from a friend or colleague, but most people actually trust reviews from other customers just as much. Word of mouth is a great tool, but customer testimonials and reviews can reach thousands of people at once, so use them to amplify the positive things people are saying about your business.

If you're having trouble recording or editing your own testimonials, why not get us to help you? Here at Voice Takeaway we can edit your customer reviews into one slick showreel, with special effects and corporate branding. For more information, just contact hello@voicetakeaway.com.

(Sources: WedDam Survey, Comsoore, BrightLocal.)

4 Facts You Need To Know About On-Hold Messaging

It's amazing how many businesses overlook on-hold messaging when trying to improve their marketing strategy. It's one of the most effective means of content marketing and is extremely cost effective. If you're still dubious - here are 4 facts you need to know:

1. 84% of callers prefer messages on-hold to other options.
Think about it - would you rather have the sound of silence or professional and informative messages about the business' latest offers and services? What's more, there is almost no end of messaging you can use, so even if your caller is on-hold for several minutes, they needn't hear the same thing twice.

2. 90% of callers with silence on-hold hang up within 40 seconds. Music on-hold adds another 30 seconds to the hold time.
The sound of silence can make the caller feel unwanted or forgotten about. Just using music can help keep them on the line that little bit longer - increasing the likelihood that you'll be able to take their call and deal with their request.

3. Callers listening to info and music on-hold stay on the line up to three minutes longer.
Music is better than nothing, but there's a huge increase in the time people are willing to remain on-hold when they're listening to messages. Combining useful messaging with music stops people getting bored and can help re-assure potential customers that you value their time.

4. 15-35% of callers purchase additional items and services as a result of something they've heard on-hold.
Don't waste those valuable minutes when you have a customer's attention. Use on-hold messaging to tell them about other products or services you provide. It may be the first time they're hearing about them. Also tell them your latest deals and offers or any useful stats that might re-enforce their need for your product.

(Sources: AT&T, North American Telecommunications Association, US West, Nationwide Insurance and Maximarketing Studies.)

Make sure you're using on-hold messaging as effectively as you can. Otherwise you're just flying in the face of all the evidence that shows it to be a hugely valuable means of content marketing.

For help creating on-hold messaging for your business or organisation, please visit: http://www.voicetakeaway.com/On-hold-s/1827.htm