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We Experiment with Skype as a Business Tool

Filed in archive Technology by Gregory Boop on February 20, 2008

Great discoveries and improvements invariably involve the cooperation of many minds. - Alexander Graham Belllinks
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Skype is Internet telephony software. The software is free to download and allows free telephone calls, video calls, and conferences to other Skype users. It can be used to make calls to regular phones and mobile phones for a pay-as-you-go fee that is very reasonable.

I do not know why, but Skype is not as popular in the U.S. as it is in the E.U. An older article on Skype Journal noted that 46% of Skype users were in Europe and only 10% in North America. We conducted an impromptu poll at a local bar and found two people who had heard of Skype out of thirty or so people. The Borderless Communicator keeps a daily and detailed blog about Skype usage noting it has passed the twelve million user mark.

We decided to look at the video conferencing aspect of Skype with more focus. Could we "meet" with clients online? Could we interview potential witnesses online? Could our family members stay in touch? All important considerations. Of course, as a small business, cost is an important consideration as well.

The software was easy to install. Configuring the microphone and camera was a little more difficult, but we got it working in under an hour. The price is great - free. There is a business option with 10 Skype Pro accounts and $33 of Skype credit for $68.

Then it occurred to me. The true value of Skype for a business was in marketing the fact you use Skype. Skype allows you to create a profile when you sign up. In that profile you can post your website and a description of yourself. You are also assigned a Skype identification. I did a quick check and could not find any local attorneys that had profiles. My partner and I did a quick redesign of our letterhead to include our Skype contact. We will add a page to our website with a link and quick tutorial on how to install Skype and offer video conferencing.

I would be interested in any comments or tips on using Skype as a business tool.



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