Phone Conference Call Blog tag:www.24conference.com,2008-03-17:/blog//1 2008-08-27T00:49:14Z Reports on trends in the phone conference call industry, including updates on the latest conference technology and services. Movable Type Personal 4.1 Conference Over the Phone Can Speed Business Decisions tag:www.24conference.com,2008:/blog//1.61 2008-08-27T00:46:54Z 2008-08-27T00:49:14Z It's just common sense that having a conference over the phone with decision makers is the best way to get the players together to expedite discussions, organize plans of attack, assign tasks and reach goals.  But interestingly enough, there are... Lee Simonson http://www.24conference.com It's just common sense that having a conference over the phone with decision makers is the best way to get the players together to expedite discussions, organize plans of attack, assign tasks and reach goals.  But interestingly enough, there are millions of professionals who still are playing phone tag and saying, "I'll get back to you after I talk to so and so."  Everyone ends up waiting days or weeks when a simple phone conference call could get everyone on the same page in minutes.  It's the easiest and fastest way to collaborate and move your organization forward.  No reason to wait.  Why not call us at 877-254-2424 and get your free trial week started so you can experience for yourself just how easy it is to start saving time and money. ]]> Unlimited Conferencing -- A Perfect Conference Solution tag:www.24conference.com,2008:/blog//1.56 2008-08-24T13:40:39Z 2008-08-24T13:48:42Z When we say unlimited, that's exactly what it is -- unlimited.  That means when you get our flat rate phone conference call service, you can talk as long as you want, anytime you want and no one is keeping track... Lee Simonson http://www.24conference.com When we say unlimited, that's exactly what it is -- unlimited.  That means when you get our flat rate phone conference call service, you can talk as long as you want, anytime you want and no one is keeping track of the minutes.  Want to have a phone conference call that lasts 5 hours?  No problem here, but just make sure you pack a lunch (you might want to press the mute button on the phone before you start chewing!)  So it doesn't matter how long your conference call agenda is, and it doesn't matter how many people are on the call or how long they talk -- our service is built to last longer than your ears and shall we say, your rear end, can endure!  An excellent conferencing solution for those long conference agendas.  Sign up today and start talking! 24 Conference tag:www.24conference.com,2008:/blog//1.55 2008-08-24T13:26:22Z 2008-08-25T02:08:14Z Some folks think they know why the name of our business is 24Conference.com.  The first thing that comes to mind is that we provide our customers with 24 hour, 7 day a week, access to our conference bridges.  There are... Lee Simonson http://www.24conference.com Some folks think they know why the name of our business is 24Conference.com.  The first thing that comes to mind is that we provide our customers with 24 hour, 7 day a week, access to our conference bridges.  There are no reservations and you can pick up and start a telephone conference call anytime you like.  Not a bad system or service!  But there is another reason we call ourselves 24 Conference.  And it has to do with the FOX television show, 24.  We're big Jack Bauer fans (played by Kiefer Sutherland) and enjoy watching him save the world.  If you are a 24 fan as well, you share our frustration in the endless delays getting the next season on the air.  But rest assured, we hear that there will be a 24 "prequel" in November 2008 to whet our appetites for the regular start of the new season in January 2009.  We don't know what time or day the new show will play, but around these parts, everything stopped at 9pm on Monday nights when we would enjoy watching that clock ticking off the seconds...  Go Jack! How To Do A Conference Call tag:www.24conference.com,2008:/blog//1.54 2008-08-24T13:18:46Z 2008-08-24T13:25:55Z Doing a conference call is easy.  First, you get your account set up (just give us a call).  Second, everyone on your conference dials into the same conference bridge number.  Then, if you are the host (moderator or leader) you... Lee Simonson http://www.24conference.com Doing a conference call is easy.  First, you get your account set up (just give us a call).  Second, everyone on your conference dials into the same conference bridge number.  Then, if you are the host (moderator or leader) you punch in your special passcode we give you.  The rest of the participants punch in their passcode number.  After a second or two, you are all talking in the same conference "room" and you're good to go and you can discuss your conference call agenda.  It's that simple.  When you set up your account, we'll ask you if you want some free features included with your service -- things like music on hold, beeps when folks come into or leave the conference, and automatic hang up which disconnects everyone when the host hangs up.  Not to worry, those are preferences you can always change anytime you want at a later date.  4 Way Call, 5 Way Call, 6 Way Call... tag:www.24conference.com,2008:/blog//1.53 2008-08-24T12:58:34Z 2008-08-24T13:18:35Z Most people have 3 way calling installed with their local phone or cell service, and it's pretty easy to figure out.  But what about a 4 way, or 5 way or 6 way call?  Well, a group of people can... Lee Simonson http://www.24conference.com Most people have 3 way calling installed with their local phone or cell service, and it's pretty easy to figure out.  But what about a 4 way, or 5 way or 6 way call?  Well, a group of people can  all use their 3 way calling and create a "daisy chain" to get several people on the call at once.  However, the quality of the call deteriorates rapidly and the first person will hardly be able to hear the fifth person in the chain.  So, our suggestion...  using 3 way calling is fine for 3 people, but when you want to have a 4, 5, or 6 way conversation, you'll be much better off just using a professional phone conference call service.  If it's something you do often, get yourself our flat rate service that gives you unlimited minutes and 24/7 access to the conference bridge.  If you are an occasional user, then just get our per minute plan with pay as you go phone conferencing.  If you don't use it, you don't pay.  You can't lose, and your colleagues and contacts will be much happier and thankful they can actually hear each other.  It's the best "way" to go! The Beauty of a Flat World in Phone Conferencing tag:www.24conference.com,2008:/blog//1.52 2008-08-22T17:28:09Z 2008-08-22T17:29:49Z We're a conference call company in New York, and our operational center is in Houston, Texas.  But for all practical purposes, it doesn't matter if we're in NY, or if we're conference call company in PA, or CA, or TX... Lee Simonson http://www.24conference.com We're a conference call company in New York, and our operational center is in Houston, Texas.  But for all practical purposes, it doesn't matter if we're in NY, or if we're conference call company in PA, or CA, or TX or FL.  In fact, in this day and age of connectivity, we could be providing phone conference call services from anywhere.  That's the beauty of a flat world -- telecommunications and the Internet have changed the speed and effectiveness of keeping in touch.  Remember the old commercial (back in the 70s I think) of that family receiving a long distance call?  The father says, "She called over 3000 miles just to say hi?"  Back in the day, you wouldn't call anyone cross country unless it was an emergency and you were ready to pay per minute and per mile charges.  Dialing long distance was a big deal, and chances are, you needed an operator to help you.  But these days, it doesn't matter if you are conferencing folks in your neighborhood or around the world.  And with everyone carrying a cell phone now, the ease of communication has changed the way we look at -- as they say -- reaching out and touching someone.   Downloading your Conference Call Recordings tag:www.24conference.com,2008:/blog//1.46 2008-07-30T14:27:47Z 2008-07-30T14:28:39Z Recording your conference call is easy and free.  It is very helpful if you know ahead of time how you wan to handle your recordings so we can put you on the most appropriate conference bridge for your needs.  For... Lee Simonson http://www.24conference.com Recording your conference call is easy and free.  It is very helpful if you know ahead of time how you wan to handle your recordings so we can put you on the most appropriate conference bridge for your needs.  For example, if we assign you account to our Octave bridge, you can have one recording at a time (if you record a second conference, the first one is erased.)  Those recordings are kept on our system for 21 days and, with your passcode, anyone can access those to listen to them.  If your account is assigned to our Multi-Link bridge, you can keep multiple recordings.  But those expire in 21 days.

If you want to keep those recordings permanently and download them for use on your own website, we supply those in .wav or mp3 files via FTP (Internet) or send you a CD in the mail for a nominal fee.  You just call us up, give us your conference recording number and we'll do the rest.

There are two more things you'll want to think about.  If you record your conference calls with our Start Visuals program (our web conference product that  allows you to present PowerPoint presentations or "share" your desktop so everyone can see the spreadsheet or documents you're working on) the downloads are completely free.

Also, if you need to download more than 5 recordings a month for your own use, there is a service called Digital Podium that we offer that enables you to have an unlimited number of conference call recording downloads and you can manage everything online.  It's a very convenient system and comes in quite handy at times.
]]> Beware of Dirt Cheap Conference Come-Ons tag:www.24conference.com,2008:/blog//1.41 2008-07-16T19:29:44Z 2008-07-16T19:30:33Z There is something sinister afoot in the highly competitive world of phone conferencing.  Some conference companies are selling a new toll free conference product for 2¢ per minute.  Sounds great, doesn't it?  But as they say, "things are not as... Lee Simonson http://www.24conference.com
There is something sinister afoot in the highly competitive world of phone conferencing.  Some conference companies are selling a new toll free conference product for 2¢ per minute.  Sounds great, doesn't it?  But as they say, "things are not as they seem."

The catch is simply this:  When you dial the toll free number to get into your conference, your call is routed over a VOIP (Voice over Internet protocol) network.  So your call is immediately taken off the fiber optic network and placed on the Internet where an entirely different technology divides and reassembles your voice into packets.  This is an emerging technology that still leaves a lot of be desired when it comes to quality.  That's why you want to think twice about switching to a low cost toll free option.  You might save a couple of cents per minute, but the question you have to ask yourself is, "Are the smalls savings worth it?"  If conference calls are important to your business you want to make sure you have the highest quality service available, and as of now, that quality rests solely with the land lines you use with your regular phones.  There are a lot of issues involved with VOIP, not the least of which involves power failures.  If your electricity goes out at your office, you're knocked off the line.  However, if you are using a regular phone line, you'll stay on your call.
]]> The Conference Calling Business is Filled with Optimists tag:www.24conference.com,2008:/blog//1.38 2008-07-08T10:34:32Z 2008-07-08T10:35:59Z We love this business!  There are a lot of things you can do in this world to make a living.  My parents were photographers and naturally, everyone they were in contact with were usually smiling for the camera.  Can you... Lee Simonson http://www.24conference.com We love this business!  There are a lot of things you can do in this world to make a living.  My parents were photographers and naturally, everyone they were in contact with were usually smiling for the camera.  Can you imaging getting paid to have people smile at you?  Fact is, we never see our customers since our conference business is conducted over the phone or Internet.  But we DO hear them!  And when we talk to our customers there is an very common thread that distinguishes them from the pack -- they are all optimistic and enthusiastic.  And that's the nature of conferencing.  Chances are, if you are calling us to find out about our services, you are enthusiastic about starting a new project, or an entrepreneurial endeavor.  You're excited about sharing your ideas with your associates.  When you talk to us and explain why you want to improve your conferencing tools, we'll be able to hear the optimism in your voice and how you're looking forward to being able to get together quickly with your partners and colleagues to discuss the latest news and progress.  Let's face it, if you are looking for a conferencing service, you have something to say.  And that "something" has a lot to do with your success.  We're proud to help you successfully achieve your goals.  Your enthusiasm is contagious! ]]> Free Webcam Video Service tag:www.24conference.com,2008:/blog//1.37 2008-07-08T10:32:42Z 2008-07-08T10:34:21Z If you have a webcam, you can use a free service like Yahoo Instant Messenger or other chat programs to actually see who you're talking to on the phone.  You can see them and they can see you.  (Back in... Lee Simonson http://www.24conference.com If you have a webcam, you can use a free service like Yahoo Instant Messenger or other chat programs to actually see who you're talking to on the phone.  You can see them and they can see you.  (Back in the day, a popular program was CUSeeMe -- the CU stood for Cornell University which invented it.)  You can pick up webcams very inexpensively for less than $30 usually.  There's another webcam sharing service, that's free, that you might want to try out.  It's call MeBeam.com.  Just go there, make up a name for a room (like "videoforyouandme123" and away you go.  Everyone you invite just puts that URL address in their browser and they can meet you there instantly and you can see each other.  Granted, this is NOT the kind of service you want to use for a professional application -- we offer the that service for a price -- but for casual everyday use, MeBeam.com is pretty good and you can have a lot of fun with it.  Families would like using it to allow grandma to see the grandkids, or those in the military to see loved ones at home.  All in all, pretty good for free!

]]> 800 Conference Call tag:www.24conference.com,2008:/blog//1.36 2008-07-06T15:16:52Z 2008-07-06T15:20:01Z If you are conducting conference calls for sales prospects or customers, it's always a good idea to provide the convenience of a toll free number to call.  It's certainly more professional and certainly avoids the awkward situation that would result... Lee Simonson http://www.24conference.com If you are conducting conference calls for sales prospects or customers, it's always a good idea to provide the convenience of a toll free number to call.  It's certainly more professional and certainly avoids the awkward situation that would result from forcing someone to pay their own long distance charge to hear what you have to say.  There are a number of 800 toll free conference call options available.  By far, our flat rate plan is the most popular because it has the same business model most people are used to seeing with their cell phone plans.  You pay 4 cents per minute or less, and there is a surcharge for anything above the allotted minutes you choose.  So, for example, you pay $59 per month for 1200 minutes and an extra charge if you use more than 1200 minutes.  There are quite a few increments you can choose and if you find yourself using more than what you bargained for, you can always increase or lower your minutes on a monthly basis.  The "800 Toll Free Supersaver" plan is what you are looking for and you can learn more by clicking on the link above.  (At the moment, our customers are using 877 numbers for toll free phone conference calls.  The 800 numbers were all taken years ago.) ]]> FCC Levies New Conference Call Tax tag:www.24conference.com,2008:/blog//1.35 2008-07-06T15:15:37Z 2008-07-06T15:16:42Z Maybe it's time to call your Congressman!  Conference call users will be seeing a new tax on their bills and, no, we're not happy about it either.  Effective July 1, 2008, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is requiring all conference... Lee Simonson http://www.24conference.com Maybe it's time to call your Congressman!  Conference call users will be seeing a new tax on their bills and, no, we're not happy about it either.  Effective July 1, 2008, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is requiring all conference carriers to begin charging 11.4% USF fee (ouch!) for all conference billing.  We were just notified of this ruling and the first filing of the taxes is August 1, 2008.  So, we are forced to include this tax on all July billings.  You do have a right to complain about this by sending correspondence to:  Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC  20554.  This is not only a costly tax for you -- the consumer -- but it's also costly to collect and submit from our point of view.  They say death and taxes are inevitable.  It would be nice to postpone both for a while! ]]> Operator Assisted Service is the "Creme de la Creme" of Phone Conferencing tag:www.24conference.com,2008:/blog//1.34 2008-06-28T10:07:33Z 2008-06-28T19:04:22Z In the conference call world, operator assisted service is considered the Cadillac (or should I say, Lexus) model.  It provides the highest level of control and professionalism available.  The vast majority of investor relations, legal, and corporate presentation conference calls... Lee Simonson http://www.24conference.com In the conference call world, operator assisted service is considered the Cadillac (or should I say, Lexus) model.  It provides the highest level of control and professionalism available.  The vast majority of investor relations, legal, and corporate presentation conference calls involve one or more trained operators who screen and organize the call.  There are many optional services that are offered, including getting customized participant reports and providing introductions.  The "creme de la creme" service is what we call "operator dial out" which means your associates don't have to call into the conference call -- we call them!  Picture your conference starting like this, when we place your call for you:  "Mr. Smith, this is the operator for the ABC Company conference call you were invited to join.  Mr. Jones and Ms. Brown are standing by for you.  May I patch you into the conference at the present time to get started?"  Needless to say, making that kind of impression could be worth a small fortune, and yet, it only costs a few extra dollars to provide that level of professional service. ]]> Pay as You Go Phone Conference Calling Great for Occasional Users tag:www.24conference.com,2008:/blog//1.33 2008-06-28T09:41:23Z 2008-06-28T19:02:39Z "Pay as you go" conference calling is a great option for those who don't need conference services very often.  There are several advantages for the occasional conference user.  First, there are no set up fees or monthly minimums, so quite... Lee Simonson http://www.24conference.com "Pay as you go" conference calling is a great option for those who don't need conference services very often.  There are several advantages for the occasional conference user.  First, there are no set up fees or monthly minimums, so quite simply, if you don't use the service, you're not charged for it.  If you only use it once every two or three months, that's ok -- you'll only be billed for what you use.  Second, it still provides you 24/7 access and there are no reservations.  So again, you can use your service anytime you want.  Third, you have your choice of both toll free and non-toll free options on a per minute basis.  You only pay for what you use -- no more, no less.  It's a convenient, inexpensive way to take full advantage of the latest phone conference technology while being in complete control of your budget.  It never hurts to have that call in number and PIN code handy to share with colleagues or prospects when the need arises.  It's better to get your conference account now and have it ready to go at a moment's notice versus scrambling at the last minute to accommodate everyone.  You can get more information by clicking on the Pay As You Go link above. ]]> Flat Rate Phone Conference Call Plan Offers Unlimited Usage tag:www.24conference.com,2008:/blog//1.32 2008-06-26T12:45:21Z 2008-06-26T12:46:57Z How about having access to a phone conference bridge and being able to use it as much as you want, anytime you want, for one low flat rate every month?  Not a bad deal, huh?  An amazing 90% of our... Lee Simonson http://www.24conference.com How about having access to a phone conference bridge and being able to use it as much as you want, anytime you want, for one low flat rate every month?  Not a bad deal, huh?  An amazing 90% of our new customers choose flat rate conferencing because it provides the most convenient and inexpensive way to enjoy the benefits of phone conferencing.  First, you pay one set fee a month and can use it at anytime.  Second, you can talk as much and as long as you want without having to worry about how much time you are using.  And third, there are no long term contracts.  You can use the service on a month to month basis.  Flat rate conferencing has taken the industry by storm and more and more businesses, large and small, are migrating their conference traffic over to the flat rate model.  It's a tremendous way to save money while knowing you can conference anytime and from anywhere.  Flat rate plans are also available for web and video conferencing services as well.  Check it out by clicking on the Flat Rate link above. ]]>