Meetings are designed to be productive, and at the very least, they should be. Otherwise, what is the point of bringing together team leads to brainstorm on a creative endeavor; department heads to discuss progress and budget reports; upper management to push along a project, and so on?

Furthermore, meetings should be more than only productive. In this day and age, they also have the capacity to be collaborative, engaging, inspiring, and accurate.

This is where the effective use of conference call software can be a total game-changer in how you run your small to enterprise-size business. If you’re in the office, or in the field, an associate or C-level executive, consider how elevating your business with state-of-the-art conference call software enhances the way in which you send and receive messages that get the job done.

Not only are online meetings affected, so are interviews, presentations, pitches, briefings, tissue sessions, and more. With the click of a mouse, you can connect with anyone from anywhere. Let’s get a closer look.

CONFERENCE CALL SOFTWARE IS:
Put plainly and simply, the purpose of the technology is to bring people together who couldn’t otherwise be in the same room. Emails, phone calls, text messaging – these are all important ways of keeping in contact, however, being face to face, even if only virtually, is the second-best thing to showing up in person.

Build trust, loyalty, and camaraderie through screen time with one on ones, small and large groups.

This is a modern solution that gives your business the opportunity to scale and expand. Video conferencing and conference calling provides participants the real-time option of seeing and hearing each other, from anywhere at any time.

And if you don’t want to be face to face? Using only audio is an option too! The choice is yours when it comes to scheduling meetings online, whether in the same office or a different continent.

SELECTING CONFERENCE CALL SOFTWARE DOESN’T HAVE TO FEEL OVERWHELMING.
A reliable and intuitive two-way platform will shape how you communicate with everyone from your clients, colleagues, team, HR and more. Here’s the first thing to keep in mind:

HIGH-QUALITY CONFERENCE CALL SOFTWARE SHOULD COME WITH BOTH CONFERENCE CALLING AND VIDEO CONFERENCING.
To leave a lasting impact, choose conference call software that is simple, easy to use and doesn’t require complicated setup. Also, consider your audience.

What will you be using the platform for the most? How many participants will you be connecting with on average? Will you require recording capabilities? Will you need to meet with over 100 participants?

The benefits of conference calling include:
1. Slashing Costs
office web conference
Travel expenses become a thing of the past when you don’t have to pay for gas, a flight, a train ticket or a hotel.

Conferencing solutions give participants the opportunity to show up in real-time without having to accommodate everything that comes with travel.

Smaller businesses can really cut costs where needed, as well as feel good for doing their part in helping the environment when opting for a greener option.

2. Cover Greater Distances
Your business’ network can span the globe and yet you can still have high-quality meetings with the necessary people.

Down the hall? Across town? Overseas? Start a call immediately using a toll-free number that saves long distance fees and allows for location independence.

3. Heightened Productivity
Email threads don’t have to span pages and pages. An answer back to your question or status update doesn’t have to take 24 hours to multiple business days. A conference call can be planned ahead or scheduled now so you can get the info you need on demand.

The benefits of video conferencing include everything mentioned above, plus:

1. Better Engagement
When you’re required to sit in a video meeting with your camera on, you’re less likely to fidget or allow your mind to wander.

Instead, you and your team are required to be here in the present and participate. Raise your hand, ask a question or for more clarity, comment, share and so much more!

Collaboration soars through the rough with conference call software that comes chock full of features. Try using the online whiteboard next time you have a lofty idea that needs to be drawn out using shapes and colors.

2. Increased Attendance
With oceans and deserts between offices, and travel plans scattered throughout the year, it’s not unheard of to get delayed, be unable to attend or miss a meeting.

Automatic invitations and reminders prompt participants with notifications and emails leading up to the meeting. It’s a no brainer!

Furthermore, recording capabilities give participants the additional option of watching their meeting later. Perfect for colleagues and management who need flexibility with their schedules.

3. Building Trust
Being able to see who’s who while in an online meeting or discussion helps to build rapport. Video conferencing is an effective aid at making online meetings and remote work more social.

If you are onboarding clients or being introduced to new people, facetime is important.

Smiling and making eye contact strengthens working relationships, as does being able to read body language and pick up on nuances.

Verbal cues and gesticulations help break down communication further between speakers and listeners while giving way to a more “interpersonal and persuasive edge.”

Together, both conference calling and video gives you a full-throttle 2-way conferencing platform that streamlines these two modes of communication; plus features that enhance collaboration and ramp up your online meeting experience.

THE MODERN WORKFORCE REQUIRES CONFERENCE CALL SOFTWARE.
More and more, employers are offering employees all sorts of different working options, only made possible with conference call software. A work-life balance is far more achievable when workers can connect working from home or adopting an approach that includes flexible hours, job sharing, etc.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN CALLS AND VIDEO COME TOGETHER?
Inferior conference call software, unfortunately, can come with some less-than-appealing fine print: Long-distance charges. Poor audio and video quality. Complex moderator controls. Unfriendly user design.

But with a sophisticated platform that has been refined and made world-class with artificial intelligence, plus several cutting edge features, technology today outshines the outdated communication platforms of the past.

That’s why it’s important to research and figure out which conference call software can work best for your business.

WHAT MAKES FOR EXCEPTIONAL CONFERENCE CALLING SOFTWARE?
With so many different options consider these basic but extremely convenient factors that can help you better determine which will complement your business:

TOP 4 THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR:
4. Free Version
Before you sign up, find conference call software that lets you try it on for size. Full use of the service for a temporary amount of time without commitment or signing up gives you and your team an idea of what the interface looks and feels like.

Higher-end more sophisticated technology can come with a wide range of modes and features, so before making the leap, it’s a total plus to be able to experiment without fully jumping in with two feet.

3. Zero Downloads
Avoid delays and complicated setup with software that’s browser-based. Save precious time with technology that doesn’t require plugins, computer savvy or additional equipment other than your laptop, desktop, or handheld device. Bonus: Look for a desktop app to make joining a meeting even more accessible.

2. Video And Audio Quality
A crisp high definition audio and video connection is imperative to an enjoyable user experience.

A dynamic virtual meeting, presentation, pitch and more allows for all participants to communicate clearly and effectively. There’s nothing worse than when a call drops, sounds scratchy or when you have to keep asking to “please repeat.”

Plus, with absolute availability from every device and from physical SIP meeting room integration, clear communication is available always.

1. Customer Support
High-level conference call software should come fully equipped with customer support, able to help you troubleshoot or answer questions. Fixing issues immediately is imperative when you’re relying on software that connects you to the people you do business with.

And if 24/7 help isn’t available, a portal or extensive knowledge base in the form of webinars and FAQ videos should be on hand.

AND THAT’S ONLY THE BEGINNING!
To really make the most out of conference call software that keeps your communication strategy on the cutting edge, consider other critical factors that play into your decision:

Security – A platform that takes security seriously and provides peace of mind when you’re sharing and transferring sensitive information.

Affordability – A solution that offers high-quality output without straining your budget.

Easy-to-use – Intuitive navigation with a simple-to-use interface that allows for quick access to all of the platform’s touchpoints.

Interoperability – Full support across numerous connections, from any device, video system or computer.

Features – Enhance the virtual experience with cutting-edge features that shape the way you communicate like screen sharing, document sharing, meeting recording and so much more.

Custom Hold Music – Take the waiting out of being on hold by lining up music to listen to or recording an important message while participants are on hold.

Software Integrations – Leverage existing technology and integrate across the board with SIP,
Google Calendar, Slack, Outlook and more.

Mobile App – Make anywhere your office with a mobile app that gives you total freedom from any device.

A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS.
Relying solely on audio to communicate could be a disservice to your business. Not only does productivity and engagement spike when using video in a group setting, virtual meetings provide an avenue for heightened conversation, idea sharing, and collaboration.

Additionally, participants now have the opportunity to live a more balanced lifestyle by design.

Connecting to your team, onboarding new talent and gaining new clients has never been as accessible as it is today with a communication platform that brings it all together for you in one space.

Let VidCall stand out as the expert from the many conference call services available. With sophisticated technology and features designed to enhance every meetup, you can rest assured knowing your meetings are taken care of.

Not only does VidCall come with everything you need to have a successful meeting, imagine what it’s like to meet exceptionally better.

VIDCALL’S SIGNATURE FEATURE CUE™ IS THE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE BOT READY TO AUTOMATE YOUR BUSINESS.
While you operate on the frontline, Cue™ is in the background taking note of everything that was said and done in your meeting. Speaker tags, and time and date stamps are all included in the automatic transcription, from start to finish.

Cue™ gives you full visibility of what transpired by filtering and selecting the most commonly used words and phrases. Using the Auto Tag feature, you are able to go through the entire meeting and pull out common topics and trends.

Everything is in one place post-conference so it’s painless to locate. Going back through the meeting and looking for what you need is as simple as going through your email.

And don’t forget the cloud. Everything that Cue™ catches and breaks down gets stored using cloud technology. Recordings, summaries, transcriptions and more are easily accessible for participants to get a hold of.

If you’re looking for a conference call service that:
Has high end features
Encourages productivity
Amps up engagement
Cuts down costs
Increases attendance
Refines the work life balance
Builds trust

Every business wants to stand out from their competition. It doesn’t matter what industry you’re in and what content you’re pushing. You want your message, product and or service to be at the top of SEO search results, and at your target’s top of mind awareness. Vanity URLs can get you there.

In this post, you will learn how vanity URLs can help sell and scale your business. You’ll see how a seemingly small step can have a big impact on how your business is positioned and understood by both current and potential customers.

You will learn what a vanity URL is and isn’t; and the benefits, best practices, and marketing strategies being used to get your company and its offerings as much visibility as possible.
This is for you if you want to know how vanity URLs affect your business and can get you to the top and stay there. Here we go.

First things first.

Let’s briefly go over a few basic terms and ideas to lay the foundation from which we will build upon:

The word vanity refers to the clarity and instant recognition something brings to the table while serving its purpose. It shouldn’t be thought of as a negative characteristic (after all, no one wants to be considered vain), rather it refers to the quality of appearance.

As a small, midsize or enterprise company, appearances are important. How your business is showcased impacts your brand’s awareness and overall integrity. Clear and concise branding that is consistent on all channels creates trust, consistency and awareness.

What is a vanity URL?

A vanity URL has been reworked from its original URL comprising an extended sequence of numbers, letters, characters, and words, that comes across as long and hard to remember, into a short link that is truncated to become nicer looking and “clean.”

Examples:

Original: https://plus.google.com/c/10298887365432216987
Vanity URL: https://www.plus.google.com/

On Instagram: Vidcall.social/blog
On Twitter: https://twitter.com
On Facebook: https://facebook.com
On LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company
For Web conferencing: http://yourcompany.vidcall.ca

This is a vanity domain, not a vanity URL:

www.vidcall.io

Use a vanity URL to:

• Drive users online to your offering
• Track metrics
• Promote a call to action

Vanity URLs used across social media channels empowers how users interact online. It’s a small aesthetic change that makes sharing content so much easier. Corporate emails, press releases, online presentation slides – include your vanity URL in any of these digital materials to make access more streamlined and less daunting. A nice-looking URL can be the difference between attracting a client or losing their attention.

 

The Benefits of Vanity URLs

Cleaning up your URLs brings cohesion and cleanliness across your online and offline touchpoints.

In an online meeting, for example, if you’re presenting a remote sales presentation to potential clients, at the end of your pitch, you’ll want to include direct access to all your platforms (web conferencing included). Leave a good impression with an aesthetically pleasing final page that has all your accounts neatly designed, using vanity URLs.

Here are a few more advantages:

• Better Brand Awareness
  Your brand, your link. Don’t waste a valuable opportunity to get your brand out there which will be seen more as you share other people’s content.
• Heightened Sense of Trust
  A vanity URL immediately conveys to users that you’re not promoting something spammy or clickbaity. Your link instills a sense of confidence that they will be directed to quality content that relates to them and is on par with your brand.
• Link Management Control
  Your own branded link gives you free rein to edit and manage where users end up. Plus, it helps you categorize and organize for easy access and fast locating.
• Stronger SEO
  Bonus points if you can squeeze in a keyword. Not only will your brand be seen, but you’ll rank higher with an association to your keyword everywhere you have a vanity URL.
• Share it Offline
  Your vanity URL can be used on takeaway items like notebooks, t-shirts, and other swag; plus on all communications materials too such as direct mail, in shops and more.
• Improved Stickiness-Factor
  Real words will always trump long number sequences with special characters. You want your url to “stick” out as much as possible rather than it being generic, and passed over.

3 Things To Remember About Vanity URLS:

• They should be
  Concise: The shorter, the better!
• Easy to remember: Make it snappy and “sticky” (so people can memorize it)
• On-brand: Reflect your brand name or provide a great offer

Vanity URL Best Practices:

Practice #1

Not every single link you share needs to be a vanity URL. While its purpose is to make your brand-associated links more eye-catching and concise, if you’re already getting traffic, then no problem! Conversely, for link management purposes, taking that extra step to clean up link after link after link will be worth it later on when you’re searching for data.

Practice #2

Trust is huge. That’s why your vanity URLs should be complete words that best describe your content or brand. You want to make sure your user is clear about where the link is taking them. This transparency helps to differentiate your top-notch brand from other doubtful, sub par URLs. Be as forthcoming about content, even if the link is taking users to a third party site – mention that in the vanity URL.

Practice #3

Plug in your vanity URL as part of your SEO strategy. Visible cohesion across all your various social media and web conferencing channels work together to enhance your SEO and fortify your current marketing strategy.

With a better understanding about what a vanity URL is and isn’t; how they can build better brand awareness by promoting trust and consistency, and three things to remember when you build your own – now you might be wondering:

So how do you make a vanity url?

If you want to turn the long link to your company’s support portal into something less scary-looking; or make the extended URL to your landing page more simple, start here:

1. Choose a hosting service like Bit.ly or Rebrandly
2. Select the actual vanity URL you want to use, around 8-11 characters is ideal.
3. Buy the vanity URL using a domain registration site like GoDaddy
4. Access the “account settings” tab in your hosting service (like Rebrandly for example) and click the “custom short domain” option. Your newly purchased vanity URL should be accessible.
5. At this point, your vanity URL needs to be verified. Access your Domain Name System page and contact your domain registrar for next steps.
6. Visit Rebrandly (or the specific service you chose) to confirm your shortened URL and ensure they are aware of the change.

Vidcall gives you branding power over your communication platform. Set up branded online meeting pages, emails and a web conferencing custom subdomain, www.yourname.vidcall.io

Now, what do you want to do with it? There are plenty of ways to use it to discourage emails from ending up in spam folders and encourage more click-throughs to your offering, or provide users with a clear, easy-to-read entry point to your web conference.

When marketers were asked questions like why they enjoyed using vanity URLS, if they even liked them and did they feel like vanity URLs actually do anything, some interesting insights and applications came up. Marketers use vanity URLS to:

• Keep track of metrics (Google analytics)
  A vanity URL might be cosmetic, but they’re very handy for keeping tabs. Use them in your campaigns, emails or any kind of outreach, then follow customer behavior on Google Analytics. See who’s coming and going to and from where.
• Build brand integrity
  With some outlets only providing 140 characters or less to get out your brand name and CTA, you’ve got to maximize small spaces with a vanity URL that gets you seen.
• Track and advertise across social media
  Make your company known with a vanity URL on all social media outlets. Perhaps you want to generate more excitement and increase your audience to your upcoming teleseminar. Post your teleseminar’s web conference vanity URL on Instagram for an easy way for users to know what it’s about. Plus, you can track users’ behavior the moment they click on it to when a specific user leaves that destination.
• Amp up social media conversions
  Get more traffic to your live or pre-recorded webinars via Facebook and Twitter with a vanity URL that inspires conversions. A simple copy-and-paste of your vanity URL helps to generate more responses and create more leads. That means the webinar you crafted and will be hosting via video conference will attract more viewers. Live streaming your meeting? Include your YouTube vanity URL across your social media platforms for quick and immediate access that tracks and converts.
• Beef up Instagram
  Add to the polished and professional presentation of your personal or work-focused Instagram account by providing a vanity URL that takes users to a pre-recorded webinar or landing page. A clean and easy-reading link will inform users exactly what they’re getting themselves into.
• Scale your brand’s empire
  Build brand recognition when all your links have your brand name in them and look tidy. This extra step may be cosmetic, but it saves characters in social media posts and doesn’t take up a lot of space in presentations, digital resumes and more.
• Make a good impression
  Give users direct access to the launch of any new online marketing material like your recruitment campaign, service launch and more. If you’ve got a live streaming coming up or an online series of workshops – this is the perfect way to embed multiple channels without the clutter.
• Leave in comments, email and chat
  Drop your link in the comments you leave in forums, Facebook groups, text chats, video conferences. Treat it like a business card – it’s short, concise, leaves a good impression and includes all the necessary information.
• Include on takeaways, podcasts, radio, events and more
  Brand visibility is easier to attach across all your online and offline events. If you’re speaking, teaching, interviewing, hosting; your audience will thank you later for the catchy link. In fact, make it so catchy, you can say it out loud in the moment or add it to any printed material.
• Customize affiliate links
  When was the last time you encountered a pretty-looking affiliate link? Probably never or at least not in a while. Jazz up your company’s blog post with affiliate links that are more efficient when they’re more appealing to the eye.
• Create email campaigns
  Use your email list to send out newsletters, updates and important messages with vanity URLs that bring recipients to a video or open into an online chat room for a workshop.

Let Vidcall’s high-quality web conferencing technology provide you with the tools you need to create compelling content, connect your business to your audience, and also help you get your brand name out into the world. As an account holder, you have free rein to brand how you present your business in a web conference with customizable touchpoints, a brand-tailored user interface, custom sub domain and more.

Enjoy Vidcall’s full range of features that include screen sharing, meeting recording and the signature feature Cue™ – Vidcall’s very own AI-bot.