Making a Conference Call

By Liz Jones

  • Overview

    Conference calls are useful when you want to share information with more than one person at a time. This works well when companies have branches in different cities, states or even countries, or when workers work remotely, so that you can distribute information to everyone at once. Company meetings, training sessions or general catch up on company policies are all good reasons to hold a conference call.
    • Step 1

      Contact a phone conference company, such as Conference Call or Corporate Conference Calls, and set up an account with them. They can have you on your conference call almost immediately after signing up with them (see Resources below).
    • Step 2

      Pick the type of conference call you wish to make. You can choose from reservationless calls or operator-assisted calls.


    • Step 3

      Choose audio conference calls or Web conference calls. If you only have access to a phone, then audio is the choice to make; if you and the people you are meeting with also have access to computers, consider Web conference calls. You will not only be able to talk to your audience, but you will be able to share company documents, presentations and other important information.
    • Step 4

      Send each participant the access code as well as the phone number for the conference call. Include the date and exact meeting time in this correspondence, and request an RSVP.
    • Step 5

      Dial into the conference call a few minutes before the conference is to start on the date and time selected with your host access code.
    • Step 6

      Greet the participants as they come on the line. You will hear a tone that notifies you that a participant joined the conference. Make sure all participants understand how to use the mute feature and any other features of the conference before beginning (see Tips below).
    • Skill: Moderately Easy
    • Ingredients:
    • Phones for each participant
    • Tip: Shop around for the best prices on conference call services. Do not purchase features you do not need such as operator assisted, unless you do desire that function. Bear in mind that service costs substantially more than reservationless conference calling.
    • Tip: Ask all participants to mute when one person will have the floor for an extended time to cut down the background noise. Use the host mute feature to mute everyone, if desired.
    • Warning:
    • Make sure to allow time for questions and answers, if necessary. Audio and Web conferencing providers usually charge by the minute, so if you run over you will be charged for the time, or possibly disconnected.

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