OLD POST ALERT! This is an older post and although you might find some useful tips, any technical or publishing information is likely to be out of date. Please click on Start Here on the menu bar above to find links to my most useful articles, videos and podcast. Thanks and happy writing! – Joanna Penn
What is Skype?
Skype is basically phone calls, video calls and instant messaging over the internet. What it means is that I can spend an hour on the webcam with my Mum every week – for free. (I am in Australia, she is in New Zealand). I can call my family in England for extremely cheap rates.
I can do hour long interviews with people in America for my podcast for free. We are even considering getting rid of the landline and just having Skype! I have a laptop with a microphone and webcam built in so I can just talk at the screen (great for video calling). I also have a Logitech plug-in microphone that I use for teleconferences.
5 Reasons to Use it
- Free or cheap and saves you money. This is a good reason for anyone to use it! If you call someone else on Skype, it is FREE! If you use it to call a landline or mobile, it is much cheaper than using a ‘normal' phone. Here are the rates for calling.
- It is global. Authors need to promote internationally so you can use Skype to connect internationally without being worried about the cost. You can even set up a phone number in another country with answerphone, so people can call you on a local number and leave a message. For example, you will need to do a lot of interviews when you promote your book. With Skype, you can call into teleconferences and talk for hours for very little money.
- Record conversations. There is a great extension called Pamela which you can use to record conversations. It is free up to 20 minutes and then if you pay $20, it is unlimited. I use it for my podcast interviews. It auto records in great quality, and then I just edit and post. You could also use it for those important business calls – with editors, publishers – and other interviews where you want to keep a record. Even if you don't podcast yet, you want to collect audios that you feature in for your media kit later on.
- Connection. People on Skype connect more, because you can see who is online and just message them, or call. Most PCs have webcams now, or you can get a small one for under $50. I have had quick Skype chats with people I have met on Twitter in order to connect across the oceans. We have formed great relationships that way – taking the next step in that online relationship is easier with a phone call! Most likely, we wouldn't have done it on a landline. There is also now Skype for the iPhone so you can make cheaper mobile calls.
- Cool Extras. Once you are in Skype, there are lots of extras you can add on. For example, there is are answer phone services, Fax, Games, Conference Calls, share documents, messenger apps and translation services. There are also various business packages for cost management.
How do you get it?
Simple. Get started here by signing up for an account. You will need to download and install Skype. Then call your Mum and practice using it!
By the way, if you would like to interview me for anything, I'm on Skype: thecreativepenn
View Comments (2)
I use Skype a lot for my home business and it works great. Much, much cheaper than a landline phone.
Joanna, skype is an amazing invention. My life would not evolve as it does without it (and email). Highly-recommend anyone unfamilliar with it explore their options. Skype has power to change your life!