There are several tools that I am finding invaluable in Internet Marketing, and one of them is free. If you’re not using Skype at this stage, then you’re missing out on a great service.

For quite some time, I used MSN Messenger for instant messages and voice conversations, and didn’t really see the need to also have Skype installed. Regular crashes / computer freezes when I was either signing onto, or off a MSN Messenger voice conversation started irritating me, so I decided to try out Skype.

What a difference - much more stable, and it has more features (or it did when I switched over).

So How Am I Using It?

Firstly - to have chats and voice conversations with JV Partners. The ability to share links / send files, and all the while talk away with pretty good quality saves so much time compared to an email trail. And these conversations can be more than just two-way - Skype allows you to dial in 3 others to a conversation - so it’s viable to have business or project meetings across considerable distances - without incurring any telephone costs.

I have also used it as a support tool - when I’ve had to fix a customer’s RapidNicheWebsites / WordPress site. While I have a support ticket system, and in most cases this is adequate. There are, however; some cases where a voice conversation is required - particularly when a customer is struggling with a crucial setup issue - or does not understand my responses via the ticket system. It usually takes just a few minutes to sort out tricky problems - as we’re both able to look at the Admin interface of WordPress, and I can talk my customer through where they had gone wrong with the setup.

Of course, it’s proving equally useful for coaching - something I signed up for earlier this year.

SkypeOut

One great feature that I only started using after several months of Skype usage - is the SkypeOut feature. This allows you to dial to any landline number in any country. The smart thing is that it connects you to that number via a local exchange - so when I phone my parents in Australia (from South Africa), the costs are as if I am calling from the same suburb in Oz. It’s quite amazing to have lengthy international calls, and hardly see anything happen to the remaining units balance.

I don’t only use it for personal calls. All my calls to support desks in the US are via Skype - as none of the toll-free numbers are recognized as such by our telephone monopoly. So - rather than pay expensive international call rates, I go via SkypeOut, and save myself a hefty telephone bill. I mentioned this to my sister in Oz, who recently bought a bookstore. She immediately commented that this is going to save her a small fortune in international calls to the US - as she has to phone book suppliers fairly regularly.

If you don’t have Skype installed, why not set it up now? It’s free, very useful, and quick to set up. Head over to http://www.skype.com to get started. I don’t think you’ll regret it.