So far, we’ve learned about getting the best deals on accomodations and how to travel with the kids. Now, let’s look at two free tools that will keep your business humming while you’re living the jet-set mobile lifestyle…or just working at home in your skivvies.
FreeConferenceCall.com overcomes the problem of hosting a conference call without a super-macho phone system. The service lets you easily set up a teleconference with up to 96 yackers. Did I mention it’s FREE?
Another cool feature lets you record the gabfest for playback. The sound file can also be downloaded so Podcasters are using this option to easily record interviews and multi-person shows.
NOTE: If you use SkypeOut, check out the competing service at PowWowNow.com.
Now, let’s tackle the issue of getting the group to agree on a time. How many times have you wanted to slash your wrists during the process of figuring out when a group of people are available to do something. This is where Doodle.ch comes in. A brilliantly simple tool that lets you poll the participants. Below is an example showing fictional Thursday is the best day for plotting world domination. Let the pillaging begin!
Hey Michael,
Great tips on this one! I actually saw something on the Free Conference Call in the Entrepreneur Magazine that my wife and I get.
And while a large majority of individuals seem addicted to Skype, all of these services you mention seem to expand usable options even more.
Good post.
awesome resource, michael! i think this saved us a lot of headache. you guys have such great ideas.
I’m glad you like the tip. I should also mention that you also get a nice summary email from FreeConferenceCall after the call. It shows all the participants and how long they were on the call. A good way to prove to a boss/client the exact amount of billable time that was spent on the call.
Also, I think Doodle.ch might seem like an afterthought on the post. Personally, I use it much more than the FreeConferenceCall.com. It is so perfectly simple for organizing any “get together”. We use it for play groups, picnics, group dinners and much more.
Thanks for the powwownow referral — I’ll check them out. Their web conferencing sounds really cool, and perfect for my online workshops.
I’ve been using free conferencing through Basement Ventures for a while now (after having continual problems with FreeConferencing, FreeConferenceCall, and a host of others). Basement’s service is great, holds 250 callers (not that I’ve ever needed that many), has free recording, etc., and so far has been glitch-free for me, at least (knock on wood).
But hey, whatever works for you, right?
Hi Adam,
Thanks for tip on Basement Ventures. I hadn’t heard of them. Also, I’d love to hear what problems you had with the other services. I think it’s important for everyone to hear. Yunno, get the best information out there for everybody.
Thanks again,
Michael
Oh, sure — that would’ve been a good idea, wouldn’t it?
The main problems were calls being dropped in the middle of a conversation, and hearing the talking from other calls over the top of ours — with no way to mute them out.
Also, there were times when the services just weren’t available at all; no one could get on. One of my students (I use the services to teach workshops) thought that our technical snafus were related to electrical storms in the midwest, since that’s where a lot of the services live, but I don’t think we ever confirmed that theory.
Like I said, I’ve never had a problem with Basement; not one. The free recording option (it gives you an mp3 file within an hour, if you choose to record your call) was unique when I signed up (the other services had it only as a paid option), but that may be different now as others have caught up.
Hope that helps!
I’m going to have to second The Basement Ventures. I’ve been running a podcast with it (http://www.search-this.com/random-bits) for several months and absolutely LOVE the ability to record the calls.
Hi Sara,
Thanks for your comment. It looks like Basement Ventures is making some folks very happy. I’ll be checking it out on my upcoming calls.
Best,
Michael
I don’t understand. Basement Ventures offers this great free service. We pay our own telephone charges. They say there’s no catch. What’s in it for them? I tried looking around and there’s no offer for upgrading or toll-free services, etc.
I think they make their money on other services (http://www.basementventures.com/services.aspx) and the conference calling is marketing for them.
thhks
this a group tele cont
I have an alternate view of Basement Ventures. I recorded a call last week - or thought I did. I waited 24 hours, it did not show up. I emailed support FIVE TIMES and have still not gotten a response. That was 5 days ago. (Still no response.)
I signed up for another number through them and went through the same thing. No recording, no response from support after several attempts.
Honestly? I don’t think anyone moderates this thing at all. I need a new free or relatively free conferencing service. Any ideas?
Hi Jeannine,
I remember a similar incident with their call record feature, but it had to do with there being a hidden step to initiate it. I failed the first couple times, then dug into their documentation and found what I was doing wrong. It was frustrating and not very clear.
Personally, I still use FreeConferenceCall.com. More out of habit than anything else. I’ve also used the record a call feature in GrandCentral.com.
Best,
Michael
The same thing happened to me earlier this week using bv for a conference call. The recordings page doesn’t display, so I don’t know if the call was recorded or not. Also, like Jeannine, no response to e-mail or trouble tickets.
I wonder what Michael found by digging in the documentation that I haven’t been able to find. You enter your bridge # and your pin and it’s supposed to display your recordings page.
Beware of basementventures.com if you need recordings.
Same thing here, The Basement Ventures was working great, now it records NOTHING! Or if it does record (it does go through the motions, it certainly doesn’t post the recordings). Several emails to tech support and no replies…must of jumped ship or long summer vacation.