Would you attend a teleconference?

Of course, it would depend on what it was about, but yeah, I'd definitely attend a teleconference / teleseminar if it was a topic I'm keen on.

Yes, but it's important to introduce people and give them an opportunity to know who is on the call. It's a great way of getting information, but not such a great way of interacting with fellow attendees. I do believe the right moderator/facillitator could make a difference with assisting the people teleconferencing to interact more with each other.

It's a mode of communication I definitely need to get better at.(You are talking about audio only, right?) But, yes, if the topic was right, I'd sign up.

I tend to be more adept in the visual mode (connect and remember more when I can also see it), but I think it's good to stretch oneself and try different ways of learning.

I offer teleclasses myself, and they've not only been profitable for my business, they've connected me with people who I can partner with or who have become supportive friends. I also take teleclasses (in fact I took one yesterday) and I always get something of value. Plus I can attend wearing the grubbies I wore to the Dog Park -- and no one cares.

You know I'm a big supporter of teleclasses, Molly. :)

Of course!

You bet! I not only attend them regularly (especially the ones listed on Planet Teleclass) but give them as well.

Telecons are a wonderful way to expand client base and connect with people all over the world. Inclusivity! They work well for me and I'd like to do more of them and maximize my returns on them. A class on maximizing them would be great - Robert Middleton has a good recording of one such class, available for purchase at actionplan.com

What and miss out on the joys of commercial flight, are you kidding! The excitement and relaxation that is modern economy class is just too special to fore go. Airport parking, security searches, make me quiver with anticipation. The in-flight food is incomparable. Are you seriously suggesting stopping somewhere near and convenient and talking to someone or, "someones" anywhere in the world, is a viable alternative?

Travel...do the red eye straight into a presentation, it's a blast. I used to commute from London, via Amsterdam to my Miami office twice a month...it was something that shouldn't be missed. Oh how I sighed when we spent $12k on a teleconferencing suite and set up a bespoke website to handle the sharing of video, graphics and software across the Atlantic.

I now teleconference once a week with India. Thank heavens there's not a direct flight to Mumbai from Seatac, otherwise I may be pining for those bygone days of airport delays, all over again.

Tele-conferences are the only way to go these days if you have an international business or even a national business. I use freeconferencecall.com. It is free and I can record it and get the MP3 to download.

I have one on my website called 7 Ways Women can Support Each Other's Business Success. I hope tele-conferences will eventually be highlighted a bit more on Biznik. Kaya

I'm just not a big phone person - part of the reason is that due to past ear issues I have difficulty hearing phone conversations of any kind. For that reason I don't even have a cell phone. I had one for about three months almost 12 years ago and I hated it - it made it difficult for me to hear and I just didn't want to be that connected. I haven't had one since. Teleconferences and online video conferences end up being an exercise in frustration for me.

Working alone most of the time, I end up thriving on the one-on-one "real world' interaction of actual conferences - especially those in the design industry. This past week in Boston, I was speaker at one of the largest international design conferences - and the interaction with many of the 4000 attendees will keep my batteries charged until speaking at my next big design event in Chicago in a few months.

I actually enjoy the travel aspect of attending conferences or making presentations - whether it be by train, plane or automobile. Any such activity that gets me dressed, packed and out of my home studio surroundings for a few days is a really good thing.

Jeff- I totally agree with you i that I love to travel as well and nothing beats in person contact. However I think it depends on the kind of work one deos. As my work is all about working direectly with people, the tele-conferences make it possible to connect to way more people and make a great coneection. I have made some deep connections with people I have only met on the phone! Kaya

Kaya - It's funny what happens when you put a message "out there" into the world. After my post yesterday I thought that, while still on my Boston conference speaking "high," I'd work on an article on speaking as a marketing tool. This morning I got an invitation to speak at an international conference in Romania! I've got to figure how to make this work in regards to scheduling and all...

Jeff- Good for you! I am sure you will make it work.

I'll chime in here. I started a little fire storm over on the Mac vs PC topic a while back so I might as well sweep on through here.

I think that it's important to remember to use the right tool for the job. I love teleseminars and web casts. They are an excellent way to gain information on a topic without having to put on shoes and drive somewhere! They're not meant to be networking events and should not be looked at as such. What a waste of phone time to go around and introduce who is on the call?! That's a face-to-face thing. We're not going to recognize each others' voices again. In-person meetings are for getting to know each other. Teleseminars and webcasts are for learning. They're also great tools to sample a provider's work without making a commitment. Yes, we definitely should have a lesson on doing them. I think they're great and would love to learn the nuts and bolts of putting them together. We still need to get together in person, but how cool is it to live in an age where you can get all the info you need right over you phone - and never have to put on your shoes?!?

PS: Way to go, Jeff! You're just too cool. :-)

I am not a phone person either, and I don't like teleconferences at all. But I do like listening to the mp3 later when people put them up on their website, so please do that, along with some notes about what was discussed, maybe within a blog post so people can comment and carry on the discussion - that way people who like to absorb info and discuss via web rather than phone will have an option.

I can relate to Emma. I forget what I hear and remember what I see. But hearing it and also being able to see it would be a great option.

I'd really like to learn more about teleconferencing, though. It would be a cool thing to add to our services.

Good point, Emma. I'm the same way. Maybe that's why I'm getting into webcasts. Generally there's a powerpoint or something that accompanies the call (which I gereally listen to over the speaker phone). The idea of adding the link to a blog is brilliant. It's great to hear what others are thinking and learn from each others' experience.

I enjoy telecons for their convenience and the vast array of learning topics and interactions that are made available. I've been on a couple that were facilitated by Molly, and I've had a few of my own. I agree that it adds physical distance between the participants. However, the beauty of Biznik is that, if you would like to pursue more conversation in person with someone who participates on a call, you can read their profile and invite them to join your network. Or to lunch, where you can meet face to face.

Thanks for igniting the possibility, Molly.

Yes, Molly, I am taking classes by phone and attend many teleconference calls. It seems to be the standard way and very convenient. I would enjoy hearing your voice, so keep me posted! Caite

Just noticed this discussion. I was suggesting Lara about tele-event a few days ago.

The current event creation page could work. We could put "telephone" on the "venue" and distribute a phone nubmer before the event through RSVP.

It will be like any other event - a place and a time to meet!

I think tele-networking will give biznik a big lift!