Conference Call With Skype

Do you want to host conference calls, but you don’t want to pay for the ability to do so or have to navigate complex phone systems?
Then you’re in luck. Skype can be used to host free conference calls with anyone else on Skype. These conference calls can be used by families and friends or by small businesses. There are two different ways to host a Skype conference call, and both methods take less than a minute to learn.

Using Skype to Conference via Groups

If you are not already in a call with one or more people you can start a conference call by using Skype’s Group function. A Group is simply a list of contacts which have been placed together under a group name. For example, you could create a Group called Work and place all of your co-workers in it. Or you could create a Group called Friends and place all of your friends in it. These Groups show up in the Skype display as if they were contacts.

To make a new Group go to the Contact menu at the top of the Skype window and select Create New Groups. An instant messenger window called “Empty Group” will open with a space at the top for dragging and dropping contacts. If you just want to just add a few people to your Group go ahead and drag and drop their names from the contact list. When you are done click the Save Group in Contacts button.

However, if you want to add numerous contacts it is best to use the Add People button in the upper right of the window. This displays a menu for adding contacts which can display more contacts at a time. You can add contacts by clicking on the a contact’s name and hitting select. Once you have added everyone you wanted click the Add button at the bottom of the window. This will put you back into the instant messenger window. Click Save Group in Contacts and you’re done.

Now that you have created a group it is easy to start a conference call. Simply click the group and then press the Call button just as you would when calling a contact. You’ve just started a conference call.

Starting a Conference while in a Skype Call

What do you do if you’re in a call and want to turn it into a conference call?

Skype has this functionality as well. When you are in a call you can turn it into a conference call by clicking the Add People button in the upper right. A window pops up which allows you to add contacts to the call. Select all of the contacts that you want to add and then click the Ok button to exit the window. The contacts you added will be added to the call.

Skype Conference Call Limitations

While Skype conference calls are excellent, they only allow for 24 people to be on a call at once. If you try to add more than 24 people it simply won’t work.