Cut Costs While Increasing Professionalism: How to Use Skype In Your Business

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:

• You can't place emergency calls using Skype
• Calls get dropped at times (this has not been a problem for me)
• You have to be connected to the internet
• You need to use a microphone or headset, although Skype phones are now available as well.
  

My biggest obstacle was getting acclimated to using a headset and conversing through the internet instead of an actual phone.  Now it's second nature and I'm saving a lot of money because of it.

How To Get Started Using Skype

First, determine whether you want to use a microphone or a headset.  I've used both but I prefer a wireless headset made by Logitech.  The sound quality is better than on my cell phone and comparable to a land line phone.

Next, you will need to download the Skype software to the computer you will be using for your calls.  It's a free download and you can install it on as many computers as you like.  I have Skype installed on my desktop computer as well as on my laptop.

After you have installed Skype, purchase an online number in your area code and then purchase the subscription plan that is best for you.   A Skype number will cost $60.00 unless you purchase it with a subscription plan, in which case it will only cost $30.00.  I should also mention that Skype to Skype calls are absolutely free; no number or subscription plan required.  I talk to my assistant Amit (India) on a weekly basis for free using Skype.

This initial process will take you less than 30 minutes to set up.

More Features With Skype

The fact that you can make calls on the cheap with Skype is cool enough, but there is actually a lot more you can do with the application.  Here are some of the helpful features:

The Skype user interface