Hold the Phone — Setting Up Teleconferences

Dear Info Marketers,

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I have been working a lot with my colleagues lately in doing research in finding certain products and programs for both IMI and the E-Wealth Daily. Obviously we do a lot of searching and have to scout out a lot of competitors offering the same product or service. In order to find out more about a product, the provider will often offer to set up a teleconference.

The teleconference is not a new phenomenon. My dad used to have them regularly at his job back in the Eighties. But now, thanks to the Internet, the teleconference has been upgraded to allow for better communication between two long distance parties, and this is something that an information marketer can benefit from when trying to sell products. Thus it helps if you have some guidance in how to co-ordinate a teleconference.

Here are some tips:

--Schedule: If you want to set up a teleconference, it is of the utmost importance that you create a schedule. Contact the other party and arrange the best possible time for the two of you to sit down and talk. Make sure you honour this date and be prompt when the time comes. Keeping the date highlighted in your personal agenda or scheduling it in your Microsoft Outlook can be helpful too.

--Equipment: Obviously a good, operational telephone is necessary for the teleconference, but be sure to use a one with a speakerphone option. That way you can be heard by the other party and have others sit in on the conference with you. Your local office supply store can be helpful on finding the best type of phone for you. As well, make sure you have access to an Internet hook up. We recently had a conference call with a lady from Tennessee and she used an online conferencing interface to demonstrate a product we were interested in, all of which we viewed on a colleagues computer. Depending on what your information product is, you may or may not need this option, but it can be a handy tool to have. Again, consult your software or office supply provider on what type of interface could help you on a conference call.

--Location: In my former job, there was always a large number of staff so most teleconferences were held in one of the boardrooms. All the boardrooms were soundproofed, had an Internet hook up, and a small dial in module used to connect the calls and go live through a speaker. As an information marketer, you don't likely need all this. Just make sure the area you are conversing from is free from noise and, if necessary, accessible to the Internet. That's all you really need.

--Communication: The one aspect of teleconferencing that can be daunting to others is the lack of interaction with another person. You cannot see the other person and are robbed of any informal discourse that could occur. That said it is important for you to be as professional as possible over the phone. This call is necessary to your business so you want to keep it running smoothly. Stay on task, keep a sense of humour, and talk in a way that is relevant to the subject of the conference. If you have to take notes on the call or what you want to talk about, do so. There is no shame in being prepared or ready for action.

Teleconferencing can be a great way for you to interact with clients, service people, and others who can assist your business. Take advantage of it whenever possible.

For more information, go to the E-Wealth Daily website here.

Have a good weekend.

J.