Hold business conference calls with no reservations

For audio conference calls, the cheapest solution is a reservation-less phone conferencing service. Users call a permanently established toll-free number and log in with a pass code. The call's organizer has a special pass code that allows him or her to use special features like individual mute and roll call.

I recommend: Live Office Teleconferencing, Global Conference, Teleconference.com and ConferenceCall.com are just a few of the audio conferencing companies that offer this service. Find toll-free and flat rate conference call providers at Business.com.

Round up the troops for phone conferencing

To make an audio teleconferencing more inviting -- and catch stragglers who forget to call in -- you can use an operator-assisted service that calls participants, handles the roll call, and manages logistics.

I recommend: Most of the companies in the previous section, such as ConferenceCall.com and Teleconference.com, offer operated-assisted conference calling services.  Budget Conferencing and Unlimited Conferencing are two other operator-conference call providers to consider.

Go online for corporate conference calls

VoIP, which stands for Voice over Internet Protocol, is also known as Internet telephony or broadband phone. VoIP routes voice conversations over the Internet. Its advantages include low cost and ease of use, but sometimes the audio conferencing sound quality is not up to snuff. Also, many consumer VoIP solutions do not support encryption yet, so eavesdropping on business conference calls is possible.

I recommend: VoIP services such as Vonage, VoIP.com, and Lingo are currently limited to three-way calls, which makes for a for small audio conference calls. Expect more options in the future.

Add visuals to phone conferencing using the Web

Sometimes you need to do more than talk. With a Web conferencing service, you can display images, use whiteboards, and show PowerPoint presentations to participants.

I recommend: Web conference providers include WebEx, Genesys, Spiderphone, ConferencePlus, and ReadyComm Conferencing.  Find more Web conference calling services at Business.com. To learn how to use the service, follow these tips from BuyerZone.com.

Be a video star in your own corporate conference calls

Video conferencing used to be limited to those with deep pockets, but video cameras for computers are now affordable and widespread, making Web-plus-audio conferencing a great business tool -- even if you're not wearing pants.

I recommend: HearMe, iVisit, and (naturally) VideoConference.com are all all Web conference call providers  that can provide a rich interactive service.  See the directory of video conference call providers at Business.com for more choices.

Make plans for business conference calls and stick to them

Sure, audio teleconferencing can be a quick, easy, and inexpensive way to gather the troops and get things done, but as in any endeavor, the more organized the agenda, the more you'll accomplish with phone conferencing.

I recommend: Use ConferenceCall.com's pre-call checklist to make sure everyone is ready for phone conferencing. Once you're talking, use the site's meeting agenda form and minutes form to hit all the topics that need covering and record ideas as they arise.