With today's workforce mobility and telecommuting on the rise, audio conferencing - when three or more people in different locations talk on the phone at the same time - is becoming a common way of doing business. We will show you how to start it.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Method 1: Use a Smart Phone
Step 1. Call one of the conference call participants
You can find it in your contact list or you can just use the keypad to dial the number.
When the call is established, tap “Add Call”. The first participant is put on hold
Step 2. Call the next participant
Again, you can use your contact list or dial the number.
Step 3. Press Merge Call
This process will add the second participant to the call.
- You can create a conference with up to five people, as permitted by your operator.
- This method works with the Apple iPhone and also with the Android HTC Hero.
Method 2 of 2: Method 2: Find a Telephone Conference Manager
Step 1. Find the right supplier
Companies like GoToMeeting or Skype allow you to set up audio / video conferences for a certain number of people. There are various prices available, from free to hundreds of euros a year, based on your needs and the level of service required.
- You can pay for each conference in proportion to the number of participants, the duration of the call, etc. or you can purchase a flat rate service, where you have unlimited access for a fixed monthly fee.
- In general, only those who organize and manage the conference pay for the service.
- Some services require the additional purchase of hardware and / or other ancillary features, but there are also prepaid offers that will allow you to use your landline, mobile phone or computer indifferently.
- Consider using a toll-free number or charging the cost of international calls to participants when they join the audio call.
- Conference calls can also be used in conjunction with web conferences, so attendees can view documents or presentations simultaneously. Some providers offer all of this as a single package, but there are other means of doing this as well: for example, while in a conference, all participants can go to the same URL or open the same email attachment.
Step 2. Gather all the information participants need to join the conference call
This is usually a phone number and some kind of password.
Test the connection beforehand if you are familiar with the tool you will be using
Step 3. Schedule your conference call and invite others to join
Find more tips on how to organize such a conference.
Step 4. Prepare the right environment
Make sure you place the call from a quiet location with minimal background noise.
Step 5. Start the call
Be on time or leave ten minutes early if possible. Some tools will not allow you to log in before the set time and others will block any communication until an administrator has connected with a special password.
Step 6. Wait for everyone to log in and then start talking
Advice
- Avoid shuffling paper and typing as much as possible to avoid background noise.
- Use the Silent button when you are not talking or if you need to sneeze.
- Avoid chewing gum, potato chips, and any other foods while in an audio conference.
Warnings
- When searching for a teleconferencing provider, find out about hidden costs and monthly obligations.
- Compare the cost of calling the toll-free number with that of long distance calls, as they could be significantly different.
- If you have clients or associates outside of the United States who plan to join the conference call, make sure they are able to join / connect to the conference.
