If you're using a conference call as a work tool, it's important to keep everyone engaged and interested. Here are some simple tips for having successful and productive calls.

The number of remote workers in the workforce is on the rise. More people are working from home, and it's not uncommon to have team meetings that span multiple time zones. One of the main challenges of this work environment is keeping individuals engaged during a conference call. You can do many things to keep your employees interested, but these tips should be at the top of your list.

Have a Clear Agenda and Set Expectations for the Call

If you want to get the most out of your call, it's crucial to have a clear plan and set realistic expectations for the length. You'll find that people will be more engaged if they know what is expected on the call.

If possible, provide materials beforehand so people can review them before they join the conference call and know what questions they should anticipate. You can send out an email to all participants before the call with the agenda and any expectations you have for them.

Set The Rules for the Meeting

You may also want to set some ground rules before starting the meeting, like if participants need permission to speak or take notes on the call.

It's also essential that everyone knows how long they will be on the phone so you don't end up wasting time and taking longer than anticipated.

If you have a short time frame, it's probably best not to ask for input or feedback from participants before you've covered most of the content you prepared.

Start the Call by Having Everyone Introduce Themselves

As people take up remote work, it becomes more challenging for meeting facilitators to know everyone on a call. You can start the meeting by having each person introduce themselves and their role in the company.

This is also a good way for people who are new to your team to meet other group members, even those they don't work with regularly or live nearby.

Acknowledge Contributors with a "hello" and by Naming Them When They Speak

When you introduce speakers by their names, it helps everyone stay engaged. When you hear someone say something interesting or answer a question about their work, take the time to acknowledge them by name and thank them for taking part in your call.

Plus, it prevents confusion since participants know who's talking and won't interfere at any given point. Less interference means you get to get the most out of the allocated time!

Encourage Everyone to Participate

It's important to periodically remind participants that they can jump in during the meeting and encourage them to ask questions if they're unsure about something being discussed or want clarification.

It will keep things moving along without having one person dominate the conversation, and it will ensure that everyone is engaged on the call.

Incorporate Humor to Remove Tension

One of the reasons why participants shy away from speaking up or interrupting is tension. When there's no humor in the room, people will typically feel more apprehensive about voicing their thoughts and opinions.

You can start to remove this tension by incorporating some light-hearted jokes into your discussion. People might be a little less intimidated when they know that you're not taking yourself too seriously and they can identify with you.

Reminding people that it's okay to laugh will make them less nervous about speaking up, and they'll be more likely to do so without fear of being judged by others on the call.

Give People Time to Contribute, But Don't Let It Drag

Time is a crucial resource, and no one wants to feel like they're wasting it. You can give people time to talk, but if a speaker is rambling or going off-topic, politely ask them to get back on track with the agenda and wrap up their points as quickly as possible. This way, you have more time to address questions and comments that might come up during the call.

Ask Open-Ended Questions

Open-ended questions are questions that aren't answerable with a simple yes or no. They're usually the kind of questions that require some thought and contemplation, which means they'll often generate more discussion among participants on your call.

They are a great way to keep the conversation going on your call. Not only will it help people stay engaged, but you'll also be able to tease out more information from whoever is speaking at the time.

You can start with broad, open-ended questions about the topic at hand or ask more specific ones to dig a little deeper into your discussion's issues and challenges.

Make a Summary to Finalize the Discussion

It's important to summarize everything discussed and make a plan for what needs to happen next. This will help keep the conversation moving and ensure that everyone is heard on this call, not just those who spoke most often or were more vocal about their opinion.

After meetings, make it a habit to send out a recap of the discussion. This way, you'll ensure that everyone is on the same page and leave no room for misunderstanding any shared information.

Talk About the Next Meeting

In the final minutes of your call, talk about when you'll be meeting again and what to expect. This will give participants a heads-up on where they should focus on preparing for your next session.

Go for Reliable Teleconferencing Services

When working remotely with a team, everyone needs to be on the same page. One of the best ways to do this is using a meeting tool that allows everyone to hear what the speaker is saying clearly.

The team at Conference Town understands that it can be difficult to find a reliable teleconferencing service. That's why we provide high-quality teleconferencing for free with no hidden fees.

If you need help getting started or learning more about how our service works, give us a call. We are happy to talk through some options with you and answer any questions about successful teleconferencing.