About Toll Free Conference Calling
Small businesses, media persons and large corporations keep in touch with employees, partners and clients using toll free conference calling. Schools conduct training programs via online seminars by using toll free conference calling numbers that are free of charge to students. Additionally, presentations can be used simultaneously with toll free conference calls to enhance data discussed. Ease of use is a key benefit with the system. Callers can access the toll free conference call telephone number as easily as dialing a regular telephone number and connect with people around the world at any time of the day or night.
Other People Are Reading
-
Function
-
Toll free conference calling connects callers from various national and international locations into meetings at no cost to the individual callers and at a minimal cost to the host. Calls can be set up with operator assistance which allows users to dial into an assigned toll free number and connect through a live operator. The operator will ask each user for a pass code upon connection to the line. Other types of information a live operator could ask each caller includes the caller's name, country, state and city location and business name. These data can be used to track participation rates by location, department, etc.
The host and each caller can "mute" the telephone line to eliminate background noise when not speaking. Entry and exit tones are used to signal the arrival or departure of a caller. Additionally, at the end of a presentation, telephone lines can be opened to field questions and answers. Companies often use this feature when conducting Town Halls and business updates that have a large number of participants.
Offerings
-
If callers have DSL, Fios or a telephone line separate from the line used to dial onto the Internet, you can include a website link with your toll free conference call number and allow callers to walk through updated pages of a website while you field questions. Hosts can also record the call and offer important persons who were unable to attend the call to get up to speed on the meeting details by listening to a call back of the teleconference. Most toll free conference calls can be used with any telephone. International callers may have to use a different dial in number and pass code to access the call, but can readily join a toll free teleconference with the touch of a button.
-
Price Ranges
-
AT Conference offers toll free conference calling that does not require a reservation for 7.9 cents a minute for an unlimited number of callers. ConferenceCalls.com offers an executive package that allows as many as 10,000 participants to dial into a call for 7.9 cents. As do most toll free conference calling providers, AT Conference and ConferenceCall.com's service allows you to create and operate a toll free conference calling account each day of the week at any time during the day. Telephone giant AT&T offers the same service for 29 cents a minute for a maximum of 125 participants or callers. The next least expensive firm is Verizon which offers toll free conference calling for 16 cents a minute for 20 participants or callers.
Large corporations that open multiple accounts with toll free conference call providers may be eligible for large price discounts. If you lead a department within a large firm, contact your technology department to find out about special deals you can gain by setting up a toll free number through your company.
Effective Conference Call Habits
-
To allow for a smooth and effective toll free conference call, as the host of the call, remember to start and end the conference call on time. Stay on course and focus on the items on the agenda. Avoid drifting in conversation or allowing participants to drift and take the call off course. Keep in mind that some participants may be in different work locations. Focusing on what your business is doing in New York City may create distance with participants dialing in from Singapore. Put good energy in your voice to allow for a lively and interesting toll free conference call.
Security
-
The more frequently you use your toll free conference calling number, the more other people may become aware of your toll free number. To eliminate the possibility of uninvited users dialing into your conference call meetings only share your toll free conference call number with meeting attendees. Do not share your "chairperson" pass code with anyone. Take attendance at the start of each meeting so you are aware of who is on the call. Lock the conference call after all necessary attendees have dialed into the meeting.
Considerations
-
In today's virtual business world, toll free conference calling accounts can be enhanced with web conferencing to allow for chats, desktop sharing and polling or voting options. Many firms that provide toll free conference calling also offer web conferencing programs. Value and price shop for a good provider that offers superb technical support 24/7 as many businesses are global and may conduct toll free conference calls at various times to allow employees, clients and partners from around the world on different time schedules and time zones to participate.
-
