For this week social networking minute we will be discussing Skype Groups. It is rare that I will keep going back to one topic as much as I have with Skype groups, but they are just so powerful (Check out Tuesday’s Guru Gushers: Skype Mafia Mastermind). Plus, they are changing my business model completely.
Today’s Social Networking Minute dives into how the different Skype Groups work to help your business. Skype groups are all about the chat features and file sharing. It takes social networking down to it’s basics: relationship building and gets rid of all the distracting features that all the other social networks have. There are no circles, character limits, or limits on connections like you have on other networks. It is pure relationship building and networking at it’s finest. Plus, if you decide there are a few people that you want to talk with you can always set up a group call on the spot to connect with people.
The power of Skype is that it has the feel of a phonebook where you can contact people all over the world for free and the dynamics of a forum on speed with the ability to chat with people continuously. As an added bonus you factor in the 800 million people already on the network and you have the makings of something extremely powerful. This is why I have been discussing Skype groups so much over the past week and will continue to discuss over the next coming weeks.
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Actually skype helps businesses keep in touch with other companies over seas.
Surely Microsoft’s Skype should be counted as a social network. It fulfills many of the same functions that Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.
Michael,
Exactly! It plays a huge role in social networking.
Skype is a fantastic tool for keeping in touch, including this groups functionality.
I do wish though, that Skype would have an option to integrate into 3rd party IM tools like Pidgin or Digsby – that would make things easier sometimes.
Jeff,
I have never used Pidgin or Digsby. What is the difference between using them versus Skype’s IM?
Andy
Hi Andy, I don’t know how I would’ve got by in business with skype and skype groups. I have business partners from all over the world and being able to talk to them, and see them talking also, for free, is the best thing ever! Before skype (or other voip services I used), we spent over a thousand dollars one month on international phone bills.
The skype groups are great also, and work better than using a web conference room, because it’s easier to talk back and forth to each other.
Regards from Julieanne
Julieanne,
I am in the same boat. That was exactly why I brought this up.
Andy
Skype Groups is a big help in our business. Aside from the chat feature, I really like that we can make group calls and screen share when needed.
Elizabeth,
Screen share on skype is an awesome feature. I just wish bandwidth starts catching up with screenshare possibilities.
Andy