By now you have probably heard and seen the acronym VoIP which stands for 'Voice over Internet Protocol'. This is simply voice communication via the internet instead of a traditional phone line.
Picture this--instead of placing or taking a call with your cell phone or land line, you use a microphone. I can hear some of you now--"Chris, I don't want to use a microphone to carry on a conversation over the internet!" Read on and I'll explain why VoIP can be an alternative, or complement, to traditional land line phones and mobiles.
Skype is a hugely popular VoIP application. I've been using Skype personally for just over two years and I absolutely love it. My parents are even using it now, and trust me, if they can use it then you certainly can too!
Skype is an inexpensive way to have a separate phone number for your business instead of using your cell phone or your home's land line. It's my opinion that a separate business phone number contributes to a more professional image.
Along with the professional image, you can save big bucks on your phone bill when using Skype. Let me illustrate this for you. I have a Skype number (with my area code) which I use as my business line. I also have a cell phone which is only for urgent and emergency phone calls (keeping my rates low). The Skype phone number initially cost me $60.00 to purchase and costs an additional $30.00 each year to renew the number. I purchased a Skype subscription plan that allows me to talk to anyone in the US and Canada for $29.50 for 12 months. So, my business line costs me a total of $59.50 per year. Let me repeat that for emphasis:
It costs $59.50 per year to make and receive phone calls anywhere in the US and Canada!
Of course there are some disadvantages such as:
Call Forwarding- Skype has a built-in call forwarding service that can be enabled at any time. You can have calls forwarded to your cell phone when you are out of the office.
Voice Mail- Just like with a cell phone, Skype offers voice mail. For you tech geeks (like me), you can use an app called
Renzoo which will automatically forward your Skype voice mails to your mobile phone.
Instant Messaging- This is a great feature in Skype. I use this for quick back and forth communication with my assistant. You can also transfer files (just like an email attachment) using this Skype IM feature.
Video Chat- Using a webcam, Skype allows you to
communicate via video with other skype users. I don't use this for business but I do use it so my parents and in-laws can see my son Charlie. Do you have family in another country? This is a great way to communicate with them for free!
Text Messaging (SMS)-
Sending a text message directly from Skype to a contacts cell phone is simple. You can even group a bunch of
people together and send them the same text message with one keystroke. You can send text messages to phones on any network, in
any country.
Recording tools- There are numerous Skype plug-ins available which allow users to record phone calls as well as video. I'll be experimenting with this as a way to collect video and audio testimonials from clients.
MP3 Skype Recorder records phone calls while
SuperTinTin can record video calls.
Group Conversations- This handy feature allows you to hold conference calls with other Skype users.
Fax-
PamFax is an online fax service which works with Skype and allows for pay-as-you-go faxing.
Screen Sharing- Have you ever needed to share your computer screen with someone who is not sitting next to you? A Skype add-on called
Yugma allows you to share your computer screen with up to 20 people at a time. This is great for small web conferences.
