by Sarah Santacroce
Today I’m starting another twin series, two posts about the same subject: Skype
Skype is the world's number one internet calling service, but you can do much more with it than just make cheap calls. Are you already using all the services that it offers? Find out below:
1. Run multiple Skype accounts
If you are like me, and like to keep personal life and business separate, it’s very convenient to have two different Skype accounts, one for your private contacts and one for your business relations. If you have Windows XP Pro, you can create and run more than one copy of Skype on your computer. This lets you switch between accounts. To do this you will need to create another Windows account (go to Start, Control Panel, User Accounts) and create a new account. After that you will have to start a new Skype instance:
- First, open “Run” window by pressing the “Windows key” (little flag on your keyboard) and R at the same time. Note: If you don’t have a “Windows key” on your keyboard then you can open “Run” window also under the “Start” menu.
- Once you have the “Run” window open, enter the following command with quotes and press OK. "C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe" /secondary (copy the command here and past it) Done!
2. Do you use your computer for Skype? You don’t have to!
For super ease of use, you can purchase a USB phone that connects to your computer. Take it a step further and look for a wireless phone. Sure! Skype Wireless phone works wherever you can find wireless access.
3. Use Skype to promote your business
You can use the mood message (the little bubble next to your photo) to promote your business, latest articles on your blog or other links of interest. Go to “Personalize”, “Add video to your Mood” and post your links or other message.
4. Call forwarding
People can still phone you even when you're not using Skype. By setting the Call Forwarding option you can have any incoming calls transferred to a phone of your choosing (your caller will be charged at the standard SkypeOut rate). In fact you can set up to three phones in the software – home, work and mobile perhaps - and they will all ring simultaneously until one is answered. To turn this feature on go to Tools, Call Forwarding.
5. Secret emoticons
Did you know that other then the long list of available emoticons, there’s also a 15 that are hidden and only available if you know the code? Most of the hidden emoticons have a slightly more adult theme (rude, smoking, drinking, etc) but a couple of them are cute, such as (heidy), a little squirrel or (tmi) (too much information). Find the full list here.
Did you like those tips? Come back next week for my 2nd post about Skype tools for the small business owner. Have you ever recorded a Skype call? For example that first very important call with a new customer? I’ll show you how in my next post. Stay tuned…
For this post I found some information from the this website. I herewith give them full credit for that info!
Related posts:
Google Tools for your Small Business – Part 1
Google Tools for your Small Business – Part 2
