Phone conferencing – cutting the costs

Telephone conferencing is an important communications tool for many nonprofits. It helps with collaboration, and with coordinating organisations with multiple offices.

Teleconferencing used to be expensive but options available today can make this a low-cost option.

Using internet telephones

This is one of the cheapest options. It involves talking through your computer – which means you’ll need a microphone and speaker either built in or attached. You’ll also need a broadband connection.

As long as every participant has the free software on their computer, the only cost will be for the internet connection. See How to make telephone calls over the internet and save money.

Internet teleconferencing websites

There are a number of sites, mostly US-based, that provide free teleconferencing services. You book a teleconference on their site, then everyone dials an international phone number from their normal phone.

Perhaps the best known is http://www.freeconference.com/

You only pay the costs of your own telephone call. No one has to download software or use a PC, so this is perhaps the easiest option and great for international calls. You can make one-to-one calls or have a teleconference between individuals/groups. To keep the cost of your dial-in call down, use a discount international call card or an internet telephone like Skype.

Independent teleconferencing companies in Australia

These offer low-cost telephone conferencing, often using a range of technologies from normal phones to internet connections. Extra services include the ability to use multimedia presentations.