Why aren't you on Skype? And why don't you have a headset?

I resisted Skype for a long time
Now I have it I pay a small monthly fee and get unlimited calls Nationally and Internationally
My phone bill is a fraction of what it was before Skype and I feel realy daft for not getting it sooner.
I dont use the video option as it would scare people.

Damnit, do I have to agree with you again?

This is getting really annoying.

In my opinion, Skype is an essential business tool and
I use it to.. talk to JV partners, affiliates, customers,
subscribers, programmers, designers, content writers
and even weirdos from Japan.

Quick questions and minor issues can be dealt with
immediately via the chat window and relationships
can be built with real conversations on Voip.

John

I'd to agree with you, for in good communication with each other there is good relationship and easy grasping of instructions. And if you want to work so part of your obligation is the instruction of your employer.

Great point. I have skype and talked a few times with headset - I haven't gotten in the routine of doing it, but I will definitely start initiating it more with people, instead of waiting for someone to ask me.

I broke my cell phone about a month ago, so now Skype is all I have. Honestly, I sit on my ass in front of a computer most of the day, so Skype is there for me...

On the seemingly rare occasion that I head out for a little bit, it's actually kind of nice not having a phone on me.

I recently grabbed a toll free number from Kall8 and had it forwarded to my SkypeIn (incoming call number) number.

It's also great for phone conferencing.

I agree with the above.

Another thing thats just awesome with Skype is that you can call normal landline phone numbers all over the world for next to nothing. I love it.

I have to chime in here too.

Skype is an essential. If you don't have it, GET IT!

One of the things I like about Skype is that it saves
a history my text chats, which makes it easy to refer back to,
especially when you are trying to find links to websites
that you and your business partners have previously discussed.

I hope you have all upgraded to the new Skype. Bit hard to get used to but once you have it is a lot more versatile. I even saw Oprah using it to interview people and it was amazing to see a tool we all use on her show.

Want to watch their new video.

http://theimclub.com/skype-video-for...s-and-plaesure

Quentin

I got Skype and a webcam over a year ago but I haven't figured it yet. When somebody tried to talk to me the wire from the headset was caught up round my other wires and the only way I could put the headset on quickly would have been to lie flat on the floor. As it was a total stranger he would have thought I was daft if he had seen me thus.

My cat keeps knocking my webcam off, but it's just as well it's off right now because I'm still in my dressing gown, hair uncombed and eating my breakfast cereal having already spent 3 peaceful hours working on one of my blogs.

I know that I should use Skype for my business, but I don't like any intrusion when I'm working and customers might be scared off if they could see me right now!!

Ok I'll sort myself out and turn the blooming thing on.

I just added skype on my mobile/cell phone so I have it anywhere
I go which is awesome, you guys should check that option out.

But in this day and age you need to have tools like skype whether
you're running a business or just keeping up with family.

--David

I have Skype but don't use it much, but happy to if people need to talk business with me

Have had it for years, but only use it when scheduled.

It was oh-so-distracting

It is an invaluable tool.

Am I the only one who's having problems with the latest Skype update?! Seriously, all my calls have some kind of technical difficulty or another. As for the "updated" look and feel: it wasn't broke, but they fixed it anyway.

Seriously, if you have the 3.8 version, do not rush to "upgrade" to 4.0.

Having said that, I need and use Skype frequently. It keeps me in touch with folks all over the world, allows me to do conference calls and text chats, reminds me of when one of my contacts has a birthday, etc. Despite rumors to the contrary, Skype does NOT improve the flavor of tossed greeen salad.

There, you have two reasons to not like Skype:

1. 4.0 Update sucks
2. No improvement to the flavor of tossed green salad.

How about you? Any problems with the update? Have you given up salad altogether?:rolleyes:

My primary business is selling online services to offline clients. Cold call prospecting and customer support keeps me on the phone all day.

I use Skype with a Plantronics headset. I pay about $3/month for unlimited calls to landlines and cellphones in the US and Canada (I'll upgrade to worldwide service soon for $10/month) and an additional $30/year (with discount) for a local phone number. I'll also be getting a 'Kall8' toll-free number to forward to my Skype number. Calls to other Skype users are always free.

I have upgraded to version 4.0 with no difficulties. The best reason for upgrading is much improved call quality, though I preferred the version 3.8 interface.

In summary, I consider Skype to be an essential part of my business and, despite some drawbacks, couldn't imagine life without it.

Darn, having to look at Riley the first thing in the morning is a bit disconcerting. That's why I only activate the Video on Skype when I'm not talking to him. The good thing is you don't have to use the Video at any time unless you want to.

As far as being disturbed by someone when you're working, simply right click on Skype symbol and "Change Status", "Do Not Disturb", show yourself offline or invisible. In other words you can control your own privacy.

If you are trying to run an Internet Business, Skype is a tool you should not be without.

Ken

I use Skype several times a day. You just can't beat it for customer support. Considering you can do text and voice chat at the same time and share files, it is a great tool for working with customers and business partners.

I can't count the number of times I have been on Skype with a customer while helping them set up their website or dealing with a question they have about how to set up a unique process flow while using SMP.

I would love to have and be able to use Skype.

I don't have a clue how it works or how to use it. But I can learn.

BUT... and it's a big but...

I'm on dial-up.

Right now my connection speed is 26400 bps

And that's pretty fast for this remote, rural area where I live.

Kevin: I signed up for your excellent Traffic Generation workshop and can't get started until I can get in to the local library and access their high speed connection to view the videos - it's driving me crazy.

I can't get in to the library until our driveway is cleared of snow. Gotta love Canadian winters in the boonies.

I also would love to get hooked up with Skype but really don't see how this is possible, unless I move. Somewhere, anywhere - is civilization really out there?

But not to complain. Here's a picture of what I woke up to this morning - the spectacular view out my back door:



Do we get a prize for the best reason for not using Skype? I think I should win!

Val

It's true that you'd get nowhere with video calls, but I'm not so sure about the chat and possibly even the voip. I don't know, I'm no expert, but it might be worth giving it a go.

Mind you, it will take a while to download but the view's very nice while you're waiting.

Peter

Alas, Pete - at the moment I'm heading outside to shovel the *!^%#* view!

But I will make an attempt to download it while I'm out there freezing my bunnikats off!

Skype is awesome! And everyone should have a headset - how else are you going to make those Camtasia videos?

Man your right Kevin, I was just introduced to skype by a associate of mine and it does help with the instant communicating

Val,

Skype WILL work with dial-up, although broadband is better. Just don't try downloading/uploading while on Skype and limit your browser page switching. In other words, while using Skype on a dial-up connection, don't ask your computer to multitask

I've been a supporter of Voipbuster for some while but they stopped connections from computer to phone and introduced a connection charge so I moved to Skype.
There doesn't seem to be an improvement in call quality and the cost per minute is much higher but at least i can use computer to phone again.

pm me your skype ok?

Hi Kevin,

I don't have Skype because I don't like it...But I do have a head set.

Instead, I use Vonage (internet VOIP) if I want to talk to someone directly. It's cheap and better than Skype. And MagicJack is now even cheaper. I don't see why I need a computer to do what a phone already does very well.

Vonage is free for me to talk to most people online and about 6-7 cent a minute from US to Japan...And since I'm calling, it's free to the other person.

And, if I'm discussing business with someone, I often prefer email, as we both have a copy of what was said and agreed upon. Plus, email doesn't require both people to be available at the same time.

I guess people don't have it because they don't know what it is or what the point of it is.

Email and the phone work pretty well.

How essential can something be if so many people aren't using it? That's like saying an iphone is essential. No, it's not. Nice to have, maybe, but not essential.

That's my problem, I think I have a crappy headset. Thought I was getting a descent one, like $40 some dollars, guess that's not good enough, get too much hum.

I love skype, i use it everyday and as im from the UK it make calling into teleseminars really cheap.

Thumbs up from me.

Me - still not on Skype. Same reasons as discussed last year when Kevin told me that we wouldn't be doing business together anytime soon. ;-)

I communicate better in writing and am much more efficient via email. I tend to work with people who prefer written communication and who don't always have a clear cut schedule of when it's a good time to talk (think - busy moms who have kids screaming in the background, are driving this way and that all day long). If we need to talk on the phone, we'll get on the old fashioned thing with buttons on it.

I'm a mom, a wife and fun-loving person first and foremost. Business is important to me, is thriving beyond my wildest dreams...but it is not the center of my life. My work week, by personal choice, is capped at 20 hours per week, so adding phone call to the list and speaking to every potential JV partner just ain't gonna to happen.

It's simply a preference and some people may not like it. I actually find it's men who tend try to get me on the phone, but they either get with this mama's program or they move on. Most of the time, they get with the program.

And please don't insist that I'm missing out on business by refusing to get on the phone. No one can ever take every opportunity that presents itself - I take the ones that I want.

Alice

Kevin,

I fear change.

I am set in my ways and I like the good old fashioned phone. I even have an old rotary dial phone for when I feel extra nostalgic.

I don't even have a cell phone, and when a friend hands me their cell and says, hey give so-and-so a call, I look at them cross-eyed and say, "What squigly button do I push to dial the number?".

I did have Skype installed, messed around with it... I know how it all works, and I know I need to get over my stubbornness of this new fangled technology... but it may take me some time getting used to it. I certainly need to invest in a decent headset.

Just give me time.

Jared

P.S. Till then, you've got my phone #. Just give me a call anytime you think your Hairy Hamsters think they can take on my Mafia Mice... We're here anytime brother...

I never felt compelled to ever get a headset or get on skype. Never gave it a lot of thought. Maybe I'm scared there's too many loonies out there. I should get one though so I can bother Bev and sing to her

Skype Rocks!

I agree with Kevin...skype is really important....
most of the internet marketers have skype...

we can chat, coordinate and help out one another
whenever anyone of us need help...

it is such a small world with us connected just
a Skype away.

Cheers,
John

I have Skype. Haven't gotten into the Voip side of it. Just the Instant Message part of it. I have sent some files with it. that is handy. I prefer it over yahoo, msn, or any of the others, just because it is kinda universal. But yeah, I should look into the Voip end of it. Thanks everyone.

Audacious Portals > Textual Portals

When it comes to audio and video quality, I found Skype to be the best of the bunch. I have a Steelseries Siberia headset and it works wonders..