I’m always on the lookout for ways to make my life easier. Frankly I’d never considered conference calling to be one of those useful time savers, but Hey, turns out you CAN teach an old dog new tricks! Once considered strictly the domain of Important Business Correspondence, conference calling, like the rest of the world of communication, has evolved considerably.
Have you tried conference calling before? FreeConference.com, leaders in the conference calling industry, reached out to me recently and asked me to try their product, and I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised. I knew conferencing was a way to connect lots of people on a call, but never realized they have a huge following among life coaches, prayer groups, and small businesses.
Here are five ways FreeConference.com can help you to stay organized:
Family Reunions
Ever notice how hard it is get everyone on the same page when setting up that big reunion? Emails are flying back and forth, dates are thrown around all over the place, and just when it seems like you’re set, cousin Susie in Poughkeepsie suddenly chimes in with a conflicting appointment.
What to do? Jump on a conference call! A twenty-minute convo can take the place of multiple emails, and at the end of the call you’ve got your reunion date. Details like the guest list and menu can all get covered via conference calling as well.
Homework
With kids just getting back to school, homework is one of those never ending obligations teachers can’t seem to get enough of. If your child is at the point where they’re collaborating with others on school projects, conference calling is a fantastic way to connect with other students. Use webcams to meet “face to face” — bring others into the call for a true group dynamic.
Brainstorming couldn’t be easier: Jump on a call to bat around ideas and ensure you’re all on the same page. Makes collaborating all the more fun!
Wedding Planning
Any upcoming nuptials in the family? FreeConference.com’s video conferencing lets brides-to-be peruse the selections without ever leaving home. Examine color swatches and dress styles, then dash over for a fitting. Technology to the rescue!
Virtual Meeting Rooms allow you to look at offerings from the caterer, song selections from the band, and even sample albums from the photographer. Nice!
International Calling
Most of my friends and acquaintances are here in the States, though every once in awhile I need to connect with a client in the UK, or a vendor in Australia. Skype is effective, but it can be clunky at times, and the connection is sometimes unreliable for international calling.
FreeConference has a slew of international dial-in numbers; many are part of their free service! I can give the UK-based caller her own “local” number, and do the same for my guy in Australia. All of us like saving money whenever we can, so this one’s a biggie.
Tutoring
We all need a little help from time to time. Does your child tutor? Or work with a tutor? Use FreeConference.com’s video calling feature to meet one on one in real time, anytime. Easy to use Online Meeting Rooms mean callers can connect at the click of a mouse.
Either party can share their screen to review assignments or projects, or use the chat window to upload PDF’s or other documents that can then be downloaded from the other side. Super easy!
I’m glad I gave FreeConference.com a shot, and I think you’d like them, too. Sign up for your own free account and see how useful conferencing can be in your life. You’ll be glad you did!