When entrepreneurs choose to make conference calls, or teleseminars, to sell their products and services to a large audience, they need to spend some time considering whom they will rent their conference call bridge lines from. A conference call bridge is an electronic routing device that allows the person leading the teleseminar to reach 25, 50 or 100 people and some conference call providers like TelephoneBridgeServices.com even offer bridges that can accommodate 1,000 people. In addition, the conference call providers offer multiple features that enhance the call's productivity. The following are some conference call tips to help you, as the teleseminar leader, make the most of out of your sales calls.

A helpful guide when renting conference bridge lines

• Check fees -- Usually you will be charged an hourly rate for the conference call, and it is a good idea for you not to opt for a toll-free calling plan, since it will be not be cost-effective for you to pay for each participant's call, since average rates run $0.15 per minute per conference call participant. You will also need to determine how often you make conference calls to see if you need a 24/7 dedicated bridge line or if you only need the pay-as-you-go option with hourly rentals. RentABridge.com allows their customers to buy their hourly rates in bulk, which saves considerable time and money. Some conference call/bridge line providers also offer long-term contracts that will also save you money if you know you will be conducting frequent teleseminars.
   
• Check the size of the bridge line -- Conference call providers that offer flexible options for increasing or decreasing the size of your call are worth investigating. Find a provider that will allow room for growth, and has enough bridge lines to hold all of your call participants, but will not overcharge you when you're starting out on your teleseminars. Be aware that not every person who signed up for the call will participate, so don't overestimate your number of participants.
   
• Need security/PIN codes -- It's good business sense to find a conference call provider who uses PIN codes after call participants dial the conference call access number. Just watch for a company that wants to charge you extra for double security codes that will require participants to be responsible for more codes, which may lead to participant frustration. In addition, companies that offer attendance checks have an operator to verify if the call participant is on the list. This option may not be necessary if you go by the honor code of attendance and don't want to pay for the extra cost of having a conference call operator (see below).
   
• Muting options -- Having this option on the sender and listener's ends is important for blocking out background noise and eliminating distractions during your teleclass. This way, the teleclass leader can mute the background noise they hear, and the conference call participants can mute themselves if they need to type on their keyboard or carry on an outside conversation. There should also be an option to "unmute" when you want to conduct a question and answer session.
   
• Record options -- When you record your real-time teleseminars, you have another selling opportunity. It's a good idea to make sure the conference call provider can turn the recording into MP3 or WAV file for your website, or they can record the teleseminar on a CD and/or audiocassette.
   
• Operated assistance-options -- This is a more expensive option, but it will be cost-effective if you conference call has 50 or more participants. With that many participants, the operator frees your hands and lets you conduct your teleseminar without worrying about roll calls, wrap-ups, and general troubleshooting should a problem occur with the line or with a participant who may need to be muted or excused from the call.

Rent from the right conference call provider at the start

By following these tips, you will be well prepared when conducting your teleseminars/teleclasses and this will reflect on how your participants and potential clients view your services. If you run a professional teleconference, information will flow faster, clients will be exited about your products and services, and sales should soon follow. Conference calls do require planning and preparation, but with the right provider to offer flexible call options and a variety of services, these sessions will turn into great reward for your business with little risk.