Core and Optional Features

Most conference call providers will give you access to certain basic features. These include

  • Listing the number of people on a call
  • Transferring moderator duties to someone else (useful if you've got to hang up, but you were the person to initiate the call)
  • Providing you with a list of phone numbers of the participants and how long the call lasted.

For a negotiable fee, your conference call service provider may be able to provide services such as call recording, web conferencing, the ability to share presentations online, or transcription. Make sure you ask about any additional things you need when you set up the call. In most cases, you can find a service to meet your needs.

Hints & Tips

To make sure your conference call goes smoothly, here are a few tips. Most of these fall into the "PRETTY DARN obvious" category, but while in the mess of setting up a call, you might overlook them (we certainly have before):

  • Send out an agenda ahead of time. It works!
  • Keep your phone on mute when you're not speaking. This way, when you swear at your colleague's lunacy, you will do so in private. It also limits the background noise on the call.
  • Say your name when you start speaking. Unless you're Barry White, figuring out people's voices can get confusing. Simply say, "Henry here... so I was considering your point and..." You want to make sure you get credit for your witty, intelligent points while avoiding blame for some of the dumb things that are sure to be uttered.
  • Keep your conference call short. Calls are even worse than meetings when it comes to attention-span. Also, this will save you money and will give you a reputation as a busy person. All good things.

Free and Reservation-less Conference Calls

These are the calls we all like. Essentially any number of online accessible conference call providers will allow you to set up a free conference call on demand. You do a search for the relevant keywords, enter in the call information and the telephone conferencing provider will issue you a phone number and a PIN. Once you distribute these to your participants, they can dial in at the time you specify and there you have it. One point to note, these conference calls will end after the allotted time has expired, so make sure you get your talking done in time. Also, many of these providers will offer the opportunity for ancillary services such as web-conferencing, transcription, translation, etc.