Using Skype for Sales Calls
I am a traditionalist when it comes to sales. I’m far from old school but I have become fairly set in my ways on what technology is best and works most often. Every now and then I get a little geeky and try out something new. This week the new tool I started using was Skype. Skype is software that enables the world’s conversations. Millions of individuals and businesses use Skype to make free video and voice calls, send instant messages and share files with other Skype users. Everyday, people everywhere also use Skype to make low-cost calls to landlines and mobiles.
How Skype works.
Skype is a giant peer to peer network with super good encryption that makes your phone system almost or just as reliable as your local Telco but without the ability for the government to listen in on your conversation. But instead of only being able to use voice you also get video, chat, SMS and presence awareness all in one application.
I have used Skype for work in the past but mainly because that was the only option. If a regular phone call wasn’t going to work because of fees, Skype was the go to application. All you need is a decent computer and a high speed internet connection and you are all set. Well, you need to have a bunch of contacts on Skype also. The Skype service is free for computer to computer (Skype-to-Skype calls). You have to purchase Skype credits to get the functionality to call direct numbers. But I already have a cell phone and land line for ‘regular calls’. I want to use Skype for additional communication the same way I use WebEx for presentations. Now I have Skype installed in the home office and had the opportunity to have video calls with an old coworker, a recruiter, a few internet friends and the helpful Skype support.
Of course Skype is planning on making you a convert for the paid service of calling outside the Skype network. I have yet to use it but if it works as well as the free service it may be worth looking into. The real fun for me is that I can have video conferences with people all over the world for free. There is just something about having a video call with someobne that adds a new layor to a conversation. Being able to see their expressions and body language helps take out all of the confusion of the context of some discussions. How many times have you received a text message or short email from someone only to re-read it 5-6 times to try to understand if the person was upset, frusterated or something else when they wrote it?
A video call eliminates all of this. In a sales context, having a Skype account and addding it in your email signature sounds like a good idea. This way every email you send will notify your Skype ID to people and either allow them to add you as a connnection or take a look into Skype themselves.
Do you use Skype?
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I love Skype and use it as a means of communication within my business and with family and friends. I’ve added Skype to my website so people can call me directly, message me, leave me a voice mail and the other things that Skype allows.
I also purchased a personal number through Skype that I use for my work Skype account so instead of giving a user name I can actually give number … I’ve found people prefer this!
I like the diagram you have used of ‘how Skype works’.
Thanks for sharing,
Karl
Karl Foxley’s last blog post..Get More Website Visitors – 30 Plus Ways To Generate Traffic
Thanks for some great tips. I have used Skype for quite a while and can attest that it works wonders, especially if you invest into your own number
Alex’s last blog post..How To Get Paid Blogging About Your Hobby
Skype is great, though I remember being in a meeting call over Skype a while ago and we were getting quite a few dropouts across the board. I’d have to do a bit more playing around with it before using it for a marketing meeting.
Liza’s last blog post..What SEO Companies Do - Basic Questions Answered
Excellent insight into using skype, interesting perpective too on using it as a sales aid as body language sometimes tells a whole different perpective on the spoken word. It’s also good that skype and the VOIP community is finally giving us a viable alternative to our old friend BT
The only thing that worries be about Skype and other VOIP systems is the probability of dropped audio. It has happened to me and is very frustrating. I’m not sure I would use this with new clients. You could probably get away with it if you use it for established clients.
Donnie @ Chattanooga Web Design’s last blog post..SEO Tips: Improve PageRank (Google PageRank Demystified…Sorta) Part 2
Skype are truly a great method to get a lower cost for all of your calls. Especially when you are travelling the world and want to call to your homecountry for some reason.
Stefan’s last blog post..How to Research Valuable Keywords
I came across this post and really liked what you had to say. I have skype but never realized that it had the video conferencing ability. Now I’ll have to go back and do some more research! Thanks for a great post.
jan morgan’s last blog post..Online Marketing Is Revolutionizing The Way We Think
I know this is an old post, but i stumbled upon it somehow. Skype has taken over! If skype were mobile there would be no need for anything else. I have only used it in my personal but I could see how talking face to face with customers could be useful.
Patrick Toerner’s last blog post..The Entrepreneur State of Mind ? Video
I second this post. Skype has come in at the right time when online marketing and communication is on a high. During sales, Skype can definitely be instrumental in generating leverage for business as well as social networking.
I like and use skype regularly…
think that everyone should use this.
Only now I know that it uses peer to peer connection for its media, very interesting
thanks!
I worked for a large company for years, a Japanese company, and they would send sales and technical people to Japan all the time for routine meetings. The meeting might last for one day but with travel time you could be gone for a week. Skype would be perfect for these types of meetings and would save the company a boatload of money.
I use and love skype but it seems funny to me that companies don’t use it more. Maybe the idea is catching on but there are a lot of companies that still like to use travel for some reason.
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