8 Winning Tips for Telephone Meetings:  Telephone meetings have increased in popularity.  More people work from home.  Face-to-face communication over the Internet is easier.

Before the telephone meeting, prepare as though someone is coming to meet you in your office.

Have these things on your desk:

• A statement of the purpose of the meeting
• Any correspondence or research you have that relates to the meeting
• A list of key points you wish to make
• A list of questions

Select your interview place carefully.

• Pick a quiet room.
• Have a glass of water immediately handy.
• Pick a comfortable chair.

Even though you are on the phone, let your personality shine, especially if you are on a facetime call.

• Smile.  You will project warmth whether the other people can see you or not.
• Listen to the questions.  Make sure you understand the question before you answer it.  Answer the questions people ask.  Do not just respond with subjects that relate to the question.
• Remember to take a quiet deep breath from time to time.
• Say positive things about yourself and about the other people.

Remember to focus.

• Check you notes as you go along.
• Make notes about the things other people say during the call.
• Don’t bring up new subjects until you have finished discussing the purpose of the call.

Ask questions to keep others involved.

• If you are seeking a commitment, ask trial close questions: for example, ask the other people when the company will make a decision.
• Emphasize that you are definitely interested in going forward with the opportunity.

Do not allow interruptions.

• If you get another call, ignore it.
• Make sure that people around you know not to disturb you.
• Certainly do not multi-task.
• Do not talk over other people.
• Do not try to tell a joke.
• Do not fake your answers.  If you do not know that answer to a question, just say so.

Remember to close on an upbeat. 

Thank the others for taking time to speak with you.  Emphasize that you hope to have a chance to speak again.