| "Voice over Internet Protocol, also called VoIP, IP | | | | VoIP for Coaches: Decreasing Costs, Improving |
| Telephony, Internet telephony, Broadband telephony, | | | | Communication |
| Broadband Phone and Voice over Broadband is the | | | | Many life coaches make constant use of phone |
| routing of voice conversations over the Internet or | | | | services to network with other professionals, contact |
| through any other IP-based network. | | | | prospective clients and even conduct coaching |
| Protocols used to carry voice signals over the IP | | | | sessions. For those who spend considerable time in an |
| network are commonly referred to as Voice over IP | | | | office or in front of a computer, using VoIP programs |
| or VoIP protocols. They may be viewed as | | | | such as Skype can become a very effective way to |
| commercial realizations of the experimental Network | | | | conduct business. How? Simple but great benefits |
| Voice Protocol (1973) invented for the ARPANET. | | | | such as: |
| Voice over IP traffic can be deployed on any IP | | | | - The ability to communicate with clients from |
| network, including those lacking a connection to the | | | | anywhere in the world in individual or group sessions |
| rest of the Internet, for instance on a local area | | | | (yes, VoIP softwares allow for tele-conferences and |
| network." | | | | even video-conferences). |
| (Wikipedia) | | | | - You can receive messages, re-route calls, set-up |
| Why VoIP? | | | | voice message banks, and much more. |
| In general, transmitting voice data (phone services) is a | | | | - Very low costs comparing to normal PSTN services. |
| costly process for customers. Companies (and | | | | FREE calls when using direct connection (both sides |
| individuals) which rely on phone conversations with | | | | are connected through a VoIP program). |
| customers, suppliers and staff end up paying high | | | | How to Start Using it? |
| costs for the line and services. VoIP brings a solution: it | | | | It is extremely easy to start using VoIP technology - in |
| uses the internet as a data transmission platform - | | | | fact, most people reading this article will already have |
| vastly decreasing the cost of calls and phone | | | | the necessary apparatus to start today. What are |
| communication. Nowadays VoIP service providers | | | | these? Simply a PC, a VoIP enabled software (I |
| offer a wide range of services, and some of the | | | | recommend Skype) and a reasonably fast internet |
| advantages include: | | | | connection (ADSL, Broadband, or other). |
| - FREE calls from PC to PC from anywhere in the | | | | Once you have ensured your connection is |
| World (using software such as Skype). | | | | appropriate, you computer can host the program, and |
| - Low cost calls from PC to other networks (regular | | | | the program is running...you're ready to decrease your |
| phones, mobile phones, etc). | | | | call costs CONSIDERABLY, whilst enabling yourself to |
| - The ability to record voice messages, re-route calls | | | | improve the level of communication with your clients |
| to a VoIP phone and easier line access. | | | | and prospective clients. Also, you'll be able to conduct |
| - Mobility allows users to make and receive calls from | | | | coaching sessions through teleconferencing tools, or |
| anywhere in the world and also integrate telephony | | | | brainstorm with other professionals. It's simply up to |
| with other internet tools and services. | | | | you. |