This is an era where multi-tasking is not just a useful skill, it is a necessity. The world may be flooded with labor and timesaving technology, but paradoxically, life has never been so busy. This is also an efficient way to keep the momentum moving after the call and remind participants about actionable next steps.Life travels at break-neck speed. It’s helpful to streamline these notes and keep them focused on action items and major developments, as you don’t need every detail if you’re recording the call. Keeping notes on the discussion will provide a quick summary of the items discussed and the decisions agreed upon.

Additionally, a recording is a way to keep track of the meetings and verify what was discussed and presented. Second, if an individual cannot attend the meeting, they can listen to the recording after the fact. First, it can allow participants to go back and review the discussion. This can be a valuable tool for several reasons. Many conference call services allow hosts to record the calls. There’s almost nothing worse than being on a conference call with a host that doesn’t know how to use the technology. Set up a practice run and learn how to use all the features, including how to mute and unmuteĪll callers. Your meeting shouldn’t be the first time using the conference call system. If you are in a loud area such as a coffee shop or at home with a barking dog, you may have a difficult time hearing the conversation and keep in mind everyone on the call will experience this with you. Be aware of your locale and your surroundings. This is an obvious one, but something that everyone continues to experience. Your location is critical during a conference call. These features may include polling, surveying and Q&A capabilities. Many conference call services provide features to involve your attendees, particularly for large groups. People who aren’t involved easily tune out and will not provide the valuable feedback you may be seeking. You don’t need to bring your pom-poms to the call, you simply need to ask questions – particularly of those who haven’t been as active. Let your participants know you value their opinions.

When people dial into a conference call, they don’t have the visual cues that are present with a face-to-face meeting – the added clarity of the agenda makes the call go smoother. Send the agenda in advance so everyone knows the purpose of the call, approximately how long it will last, and what they are expected to prepare. It is important to create an agenda and stick to it. As the host, it’s your job to keep the call concise, on point and moving along. Limit calls to a reasonable length so participants know what to expect. Equally important, stay within your scheduled timeframe and end the meeting on time. If you are the host you should dial into the call a few minutes early. Just like any other professional meeting, it is important that you arrive on time. Prepare ahead of time for the topics you want to discuss and be sure you have the right people on the call to accomplish your objectives. Leading the conference call and you want to accomplish the items on your agenda and keep your participants engaged. One of the most important things to remember before any meeting is to be prepared and organized. To ensure your participants aren’t disengaged and multi-tasking on other things during your next conference call, consider the following tips. Thanks to this sketch from Tripp and Tyler, which hilariously demonstrates how a conference call would play out in real life, we have a witty reminder about the importance of leading a successful conference call.

The constant beeps, the awkward pauses, that guy who forgets to use the mute button - the reasons people hate those dreaded meetings – just goes on and on. However, if the call is not conducted in a professional and organized manner, it can be a waste of time for both you and your participants.Īnyone that’s ever had an office job knows conference calls can often be the worst. They can be a productive and efficient way to hold a meeting, especially for those who would otherwise have to travel to attend. As a PR professional, it’s commonplace to have regular conference calls with clients and colleagues.

Conference call mute