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Conference Call Etiquette You Need to Know: An Introduction

Efficient communication relies on the respect that the participants have for each other. Even the host of the conference is considered a participant, and he or she needs to go by a certain set of ethical rules if the conference is to succeed. If this is the first time for you to participate in a conference call, there may be some conference call etiquette you need to know.

The kinds of conference call you need to attend will dictate the kinds of conference call etiquette you need to know. A conference call between managers of a company, for example, may have different rules from a conference call placed by a company to its investors. For one thing, the former usually welcomes input from all participants. The latter usually keeps the investors on mute while the company on the host side makes a presentation and elaborates on key issues. Etiquette, therefore, will depend on the kind of interaction the participants will engage in.

There are some universal rules, however. For example, you need to know that putting a conference call on hold is a no-no. Even if you have an important communiqué waiting in the other line, being careless and setting "hold" on impulse may subject the rest of the conference to your on-hold music - if you're lucky, however, that ought to produce some humorous results! Along the same vein, mute or turn off the radios, speakerphones and cell phones in your vicinity before engaging in a call. This may cause a lot of background noise, which will be rather inconvenient for the other participants.

Don't be late for a conference, and don't forget to introduce yourself if you're talking for the first time. These good habits will all identify your adherence to protocol, and in turn your good manners, should you address the same people in future conferences.

If all the participants in a conference respected the ground rules, talk would go smoothly, and no money or time will be wasted in the engagement. As a host or as a participant, make sure that you've brushed up on the conference call etiquette you need to know before you pick up that phone.