Skype changed the way we communicate forever when it launched in 2003. Over a decade later, it is now used by millions of people around the world to hold free video calls. Increasingly, it is being used by businesses to communicate with clients and colleagues. However, if you are currently using Skype for video calls and nothing more, you may well be missing out on many of its most useful and economizing features. Here are a few that you may want to try out.
Get Your Calls Forwarded
Skype is a great way to receive calls if you are on your computer all day. But what about when yo u are away from your desk? In this case, you could set up Skype to forward your calls to your cell phone. You simply pay for the service out of your credit, and it could be very handy if you spend a lot of time on the move.
Enjoy Free Calls to Anywhere
With Skype, you can make cheap calls all over the world. However, if you sign up for a subscription, you can call both landlines and cell phones for free. You simply pay one set fee, either monthly or annually, and you can then make calls whenever you want to up to the call limit in your subscription.
Get Your Own Local Number
What if you want people to call you when you are abroad but you don’t want them to pay international prices? If you work remotely or travel on business, Skype can help you by providing you with your own number in your local area.
So, if you are based in Vancouver, you can get your own Vancouver number, and then your clients, colleagues, friends, family, and anyone else can call you on this number wherever you are, while only paying for a local call.
Get a Skype-to-Go Number
Skype-to-Go is a great way for you to make calls to anywhere in the world from a standard phone. Simply inform Skype of the number you wish to call, and you will be given a local number to call your contact on. This number will take your call through Skype’s system, so you will pay the cheaper Skype rates rather than the more expensive standard rates.
Share Screens
With Skype, you can even share your computer screen. When talking to someone else who is also using Skype, you can share your screen with them and use it to talk them through a report, a document, or whatever else you want to show them, helping to clarify situations where visual assistance is required.
Beyond Simple Video Calls
Skype is still the most popular video chatting tool around. Some of its lesser known features can save your company a substantial amount of money, especially if you have clients in other areas, or have remote staff. Check out some of the above features today. They could help you to get even more out of Skype beyond simple video calls.
This is an excerpt from our newsletter, The Technologist, which is all about technology for accounting professionals. Find back issues and subscribe for free here.