Choosing A Conference Call Service

A conference call involves the communication between a calling party and more than one listener. There are numerous conference call services available which is difficult to make a quick decision. The service that you choose will ultimately depend on the expectations and uses you wish get out of your conference calls.

Only a few details needed such as price, while others are in need of advanced services like on-the-spot technical support. Below are a few factors to consider when choosing the conference call service that is most compatible with your needs.

1 . Business Conference Calls

When it comes time to report quarterly stats, many companies turn to conference calls. This allows them to communicate the ups and downs of their business to interested parties. Businesses may also use conference calls to promote their products or services. Seminar leaders may open a conference call to the public to share their marketing techniques or business strategies for free or a small price.

2 . Audio vs. Visual

Audio conference calls are less expensive and require less equipment than visual conferencing. Web conference calls also open up a host of potential problems such as malfunctioning chat, instant message and web cam services. Although the capabilities of visual conference calls are vast and have a better way of getting the point across depending on your intended audience.

3 . Conference Call Limitations

What kind of conference call do you want? Some services allow the called party to speak during a call, while other selections only allow called parties to listen to what is being said.

4 . Conference Call Set-Up

Do you want to control how conference calls are received and made? Calling parties can place calls to desired participants or entrance to a call is gained by calling a special phone number.

5 . Reservation vs Non-Reservation

When you choose a service offering reservation-less conference calls, you will enjoy more freedom. Calls can be placed at any time without speaking to an operator or setting up an appointment. Reservation services require you to schedule your call ahead of time.

6 . Conference Call Commands

What sort of capabilities do calling parties have when choosing a service? Things to consider include the ability to get operator assistance, mute and unmute participants, alter ringing tones and record conversations.

7 . Call Planning is Essential

Knowing how long your conference call will be allows you to shuffle along participants to meet time expectations. Larger groups demand longer time frames but without the use of video, it is difficult to keep the interest of all participants.

Usually, about 1-3 minutes are given to each participant to voice his or her opinions. Often, an hour-long conversation handles about 1-2 topics. Another important factor pertaining to conference calls is to prepare for last-minute technical issues.

8 . Billing Plans

Accepting a variety of credit cards, some services offer per minute pricing plans. Once the conference call is completed, a call summary is emailed to you with all of the details. Additional plans include flat rate unlimited and monthly plans.

9 . Special Services

Will the conference call service you choose provide you with extra services? Depending on your needs, you may desire to have a taped recording of your conference call. Rebroadcasts are also offered through some services for a fee.

When you conduct, careful comparisons and research on the many conference call services, you will be able to take advantage of a wealth of savings that regular phone services cannot provide.

Conference Call Companies

Over the last few years, many new conference call companies have set themselves up in business, promising great service at low prices. As well as adding to the confusion of trying to pick the best company for your conference call needs, you need to be careful as all may not be as it seems on the surface.

In some cases, these companies can have a fantastic website, giving the appearance of a very professional company.

One of the simple ways to do this is to ask them to give the names of a few of the companies that they have worked with recently. You need to find out if the service provider is professional, if the quality of their calls are good, if the pricing is fair and similar questions, just to get a feel to see if it is a company you would be happy to work with.

Regards to the price, the cheapest is not always the best. In fact, there are companies out there who offer ‘free’ conference calls. Try not to get drawn in by this. You may find with many very cheap or free services that there are a number of hidden extras that you will need to pay for.

However, free is not always a bad thing. What I mean by this is that there are some companies who will offer a free trial of the services. This will allow you to ‘try before you buy’ and judge for yourself if the service is what you expect it to be.

And if you are new to the world of conference calls, taking a free trial offer is a good way to see how easy it is to use and it will also give you the knowledge to ask further questions which you may not have thought of previously.

Audio Conferencing Services

Conference calling company offers audio conferencing services that give you a variety of features supported by expert service, no matter what type of meeting you need to hold. They will be there for you at all times and offer you and your business everything that you need to strive.

From having access to an instant conference to working with their trained and expertly knowledgeable staff who will help you through the entire ordeal and help you conduct an investor relations call, you can always count on this conference calling company to give you everything that you are looking for and need.

Video Conferencing

There are also the terrific video conferencing services offered by this conference calling company. The video conferencing allows you to have a face to face meeting without ever leaving your office and you can do everything from conduct live training sessions to take care of product launches.

Web Conferencing

Of course the most popular and commonly used services of all are the web conferencing services. For interactive meetings and online training sessions you can really benefit and trust on Conference Call Companies which can provide you and your business with reliable and always easy to use web conferencing services.

Finally, always check and double check your bills. Make sure that the company you have chosen have not tried to slip in an extra charge for something you did not use and also check to see if the numbers are the same as what you were quoted.

Benefits Of Conference Calls

Whether your business is large or small, conference calling is a solution that you have likely used at some time or another for its time saving and relationship building advantages. Conference calls is not a new thing, its a part of daily life. All business houses are using it due to its high effectiveness in communication.

Using Conference call services is much beneficial for any company. It saves lot of business travel expenses. Many conference call service providers are willing and able to create customized affordable plans for small businesses. Understand your requirement first and need to do some research to find low cost but quality conference call service providers.

Normally, conference call is divided into two different types. First, where a person is joined with the discussion and can have talk to other peers. The second, where he is joined in the discussion but cannot have his say or talk to other participants of the discussion.

Both types have a significant importance and first one is important in having a meeting with people present in remote places whereas second is useful in giving news and updates.

Below is a part of the greatest benefits of conference calls :

1 . Cost Reduction
The greatest benefit of such a conference is that it saves lot of money. No more overseas or domestic traveling is needed.

2 . Efforts & Time Saving
An effective communication tool to successfully eliminate the hassle of traveling, thereby saving a lot of time.

3 . Fast & Effective Communication
Conference Call requires less written communication, replies are instant.

4 . Quick Responses
In a conference call, clients do not have to wait for a call back. All questions and answers are done instantly at the same time.

5 . Anyone can join the meeting from anywhere
It doesn't matter where you are. As long as you have access to a telephone, you can join in a conference call.

It is easy for anyone to use conference calling, whether for business or for family phone use. There is specialized equipment necessary to conduct a conference call, and businesses that do a lot of conference calling may own their own equipment.

The benefits that conference call services offer are understandable,considering every business is looking for new ways to reduce the costs of expensive and time consuming travels.

Web Conference Calls

In the business world today, web conferencing software is very useful for setting up conference calls with clients or field offices or business partners. With the globalization of today's business world, more and more people from all over the world are doing business together. Web conferencing software is a good technological advance that can bring everyone together without the expensive airplane tickets and extensive traveling.

Web conferencing interacting over the Internet and allows a presenter to show an audience what is on his/her computer screen and collaborate in a number of ways. Web conferencing is focused on computer-based data which is can display and easily manipulate. That makes it easier for the businessperson to use, and makes it fit most day-to-day business meetings and events.

Additionally, they can plan their presentations far more effectively because of this kind of call. Users may also record a web conference for review at a later time.

Most Web conferences use an audio conference call to let the group hear the presenter. Phone audio is more reliable and higher quality than Internet audio. And it allows real-time interaction among participants in the event. But it does add the cost and effort of using the phone as well as a browser.

Setting up conference calls are easy. A web conference call can be placed from any location to any location in the world and the communication can be audio or video or both.

A simple web conference needs a computer, input and output devices such as web cams, speakers and monitors and an Internet connection. Another method which is gaining ground that only one-way communication is done. A person gives a speech or presentation to the listeners on the other end. Large-scale web conferencing may require professional help to be set up.

One potential disadvantage of conducting a web conference is the quantity of problems related to careful planning. Persons who participate in the call should be disciplined and able to concentrate intently on the discussion. In order for these conferences to work effectively, cameras, microphone and other technical tools must be used. Failing to use these items can result in a completely wasted effort.

Web conferences are more interactive, with the ability to share presentation rights and control of applications among all group members. For collaboration, in-depth presentations, sales demos and training it can’t be beat.