Practicing conference calls in advance helps eliminate nervousness.
Approaching a conference call as just another group discussion helps eliminate nervousness, and so does proper preparation. Preparing for a conference call begins early, with agendas distributed in advance along with a complete testing of equipment, such as the telephone used to initiate the call. Some conference calls require participants to call into a central number. Other calls require the organizer to make individual calls to each participant to add them to the line. Practicing the connections in advance is crucial, and so is learning proper conference call etiquette, including the correct pronunciation of the names of participants.
Instructions
1. Distribute the agenda two days in advance. It should resemble a standard business meeting agenda but also include detailed conference call-in information.
2. Eliminate nervousness by rehearsing the conference call a day in advance. Have co-workers participate on a brief call to test connections. Practice using a telephone to connect several people at once. Or practice another option, such as having participants call into a central number or conducting the call with a professional conference call moderator.
3. Practice the first few minutes of the test call. Open the call with confidence by welcoming everyone and stating the purpose of the call. Refer to the agenda as you announce names of participants and allow them to confirm their presence. Then call on the first speaker as you end the practice session.
4. Begin the actual call on the appropriate day with confidence, knowing that you have properly prepared and are eager to begin.
