With the spread of businesses all over the globe, telephone conferencing is becoming the most preferred and cost-effective method for companies to keep in touch colleagues, customers and stake holders who may be situated anywhere in the world. A conference call is nothing but a telephone call where you speak to more than two people at the same time. If you have never hosted or participated in a voice conference before, you may feel understandably nervous, but call conferencing is as easy as making an ordinary telephone call. If you know how to pick up the phone and dial a number you could also be phone conferencing in no time. It is as simple as that.

There are some simple basics that you need to know about teleconferencing that will help you make the most of the call.

There are many reputed service providers in the market offering different types of conferencing services. Depending on the nature and size of your business, you may have an estimate of your monthly teleconference volume. All you need to do then is to choose one from the many conferencing solutions available.

Conference call service providers host something called a conference bridge, which is nothing but a server that is capable of linking multiple telephone lines simultaneously. Once you opt for a teleconferencing service with a vendor, you join the teleconference by dialing into the conference bridge. The service provider gives you a number that you have to dial and a pass code or personal identification number that you have to punch in to allow access to the scheduled call.

There are also value added services provided by companies, such as the facility to record calls and conduct attendee polls or surveys. Some service providers also provide call operator services where the operator calls each participant and connects to the call.

That is all there is to the technicalities of making a conferencing. You simply pick up the phone and dial the number given to you by your service provider.

To make the most of your call, plan the call ahead so that there is enough time to prepare. Start on time and dial into the call from a place where you and the other participants may not be disturbed by loud background noises. Everyone should participate actively during the call. After wrapping up the call, follow up on any action items and set a date for the next one.