10 ways to make better Skype calls
Gadget smart
With Ozioma Ubabukoh
THURSDAY , NOVEMBER 3 , 2016
07053937947 oubabukoh @ punchng . com
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10 tips for successful conference call
Conference calls can be a productive and efficient way to hold a meeting , especially for individuals who would otherwise have to travel far distances to attend . However , if the call is not conducted in a professional and organised manner , it can be a waste of time for the participants and yourself . Below are 10 ways you can create a successful conference call :
• Organise and prepare
One of the most important things to remember before any phone meeting is to be prepared and organised . This step is crucial if you want to accomplish the items on your agenda and keep your participants engaged throughout the meeting . Prepare ahead of time for the topics you want to discuss . Create an agenda or an outline of the call for yourself and your attendees . Also , prepare as much material as possible before the meeting so that you will not waste time on useless topics .
• Encourage participation
When others feel comfortable , you create an environment for ideas and strategies to develop . If you are hosting or managing the conference call , ask your participants questions . Let them know that you value their opinions . Letting others participate in the phone call is key . People who aren ’ t involved easily tune out and become lost in their own daydreams and will not provide the feedback or the help you may be seeking .
Many conference call services provide features to involve your attendees . These features may include polling , surveying and Q & A capabilities . For many services , these features can be accessed by entering certain codes on the dial pad . At the beginning of your conference calls , go through these codes and ensure that your participants are aware of how they
Do you want to improve your
Skyping experience ? Listed below are 10 useful tips to help you get better Skype calls : 1 . Fast , reliable connection The quality of Skype calls greatly depend on your Internet connection . To yield better results , it is best to go for wired connections . 2 . Use headphones Use headphones for better sound quality . Also , if privacy is an issue , this is an advantage for you . 3 . Find a quiet place For an easier conversation , find a quiet place . It is hard to talk in
can contribute to the conversation .
• Be punctual
Just like any other business meeting , it is important that you arrive early . Dial into the call a few minutes early . If you wait until the last minute , you may encounter technology issues that can take time to fix . You may also find that you have the wrong dial-in number or passcode to access the phone meeting . Being punctual to your meeting ; that is also another way you can be prepared and ready to
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participate .
• Be aware of your location
Your location is critical during a conference call . If you are in a loud area , you may have a difficult time hearing the conversation over the phone line . Additionally , you will want to seclude yourself from others . By being in the same area with many people , you may find yourself quickly distracted and missing important information .
Also , if you use a microphone or speakerphone , be aware of its
10 ways to make better Skype calls
a place where there are a lot of distractions . 4 . Well-lit room Be sure to stay in a place with as much natural lighting as possible . A good webcam will do you no good without a decent lighting . 5 . Get a good webcam A good webcam always yields better results . So , it is best to invest in a decent webcam . 6 . Install the latest version Be sure to download and install the latest version of Skype to ensure smoother and better Skype calls . 7 . Close other programmes Opening a number of programmes at the same time can make Skype a bit slower . Stop those programmes for a few minutes then proceed with what you are doing after the call . 8 . Do a test before the call Do a test on your computer and network before each call . It is better to identify and resolve the problem before starting your conversations with your loved ones . 9 . Use a microphone An external microphone is better than a built-in one . Also , get closer to your microphone for a better audio . 10 . Skype support Visit www . skype . com / support for more information and tips on how to get the most out of Skype .
Now , it is time for you to apply these simple tips and get the best quality of Skype calls every time .
• Additional Info : Supertintin Blog location and surroundings . You want the device close enough that it picks up your voice but far enough that it won ’ t pick up every little sound you make . Additionally , be aware of any electronic devices . These items can cause interference and affect the quality of your call .
• Stick to the agenda
People are busy . They do not have the time to listen to conversations that are not pertinent to their job and the tasks at hand . It is important during a phone meeting to create an agenda and stick to it . Don ’ t waste time discussing the latest basketball game or where you ate lunch . By discussing the current problems and topics at hand , you will receive more participation and more willing participants . Also , do your best to stay within your scheduled timeframe . By extending the meeting , you may also quickly lose participation and attentiveness .
• Use visual aids when necessary
Visual aids can help entice participation and encourage discussion among attendees . Visual aids are ideal if you are presenting new ideas or strategies to a large group . They do not need to be used in every phone call , and they can become an annoyance if they are long and provide too much information . However , to use visual aids during a conference call , you will need an Internet connection and web conferencing capabilities .
• Keep notes
Keeping notes is an excellent way to stay focused during a long conference call . Also , if the information being presented is important , you will want to keep notes as a reference . Regardless of whether you take extensive notes or
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just jot down a few ideas , you should always keep a writing utensil and a notebook next to you during your phone meetings .
• Record the conference call
Many conference call services allow hosts to record the phone meetings . This can be a valuable tool for several reasons . First , it can allow participants to go back and review the phone discussion and the presented information . Second , if an individual cannot attend the meeting , they can listen to the recording and receive the same information as the individuals who were there . Additionally , a recording is a way to keep track of the meeting and verify what information was discussed and presented .
• Become familiar with the conference call service
Conference call services vary . Each service can offer different features and tools , particularly interactive features such as hand raising , polling , whiteboards and more . Before you begin a conference call , spend some time researching the service and learning its features . Many services allow an operator to sit in on the call to make sure things run smoothly . Also , it is a wise idea to go over certain commands and features at the beginning of a conference call to ensure that everyone on the call can participate .
• Keep the meeting short
One of the quickest ways to lose participants ’ focus in a phone meeting is to extend it much longer than is necessary or its scheduled length . By keeping the meeting short and concise , you will have captive participants and individuals who do not dread your meetings .