How I Stopped Paying For Online Meetings!
By Reggie · August 10, 2008
I love free technology, especially when it increases my productivity. That’s why I was so excited about the release of Adobe’s Acrobat.com beta. This new online application suite is not what you would think looking at the name. It’s not just an online version of their already popular Acrobat. This site is packed full of features ranging from free online meeting software to document storage and delivery.
Free Online Meetings, what’s the catch?
The only catch is that you need 3 or fewer attendees. If you do, your meeting is free! The service is called Adobe ConnectNow. This online meeting and collaboration solution is both attractive and powerful. ConnectNow boasts features like video conferencing, teleconferencing, chat, whiteboard, screen sharing, and unique meeting URL.
Setting up a meeting is a snap. To invite attendees give out your personal meeting URL. (Choose your custom URL based on availability.) Or send an invite from within your ConnectNow account. Invitees will be asked to join as guest or create an account. If they choose “Guest” they insert name and they are in. If you need to setup a corresponding phone conference, click on the phone icon from within your ConnectNow window. That will display the phone number, Host ID, and Participant ID needed. From this point you can share your screen, and begin your presentation.
Once you’re underway, bring up the Whiteboard to add annotations to the screen. For example if you’re talking with a new out of town buyer, you can easily bring up a Google map of the area. With the annotation turned on you could draw a particular part of the neighborhood so that you buyer would clearly see the neighborhood focus area. Then simply save the drawings as PNG file to share. You may even take it a step further by clicking “Start My Camera” and suddenly your webcam will stream video of you talking to your attendees.
ConnectNow also includes a remote control feature. This tool is designed to hand over control (when you approve) of your PC to one of the other users you’ve invited. This can be great in a meeting with multiple contributors. But it can also be a powerful technical support tool. Simply invite your smartest friend or colleague into the meeting and then give them control of your computer. Then they can operate your computer while you watch.
FYI: Over 3 attendees try: Adobe Acrobat Connect Pro.
Sharing with 5 GB of Free File Storage
Adobe Share is another powerful application in this free suite for real estate agents. To start, the “My Files” application creates a mobile repository for all your documents…up to 5GB. Simply upload what you think you’ll need and then you can recall it from any computer with Internet access. All posted materials can be private, shared or even limited access. This would be great for you mobile real estate agents that need access to the same document time and again. Document can be shared from “My Files” easily. The first option would be by email. Supply the email addresses and corresponding message. Then the recipients will receive a message with a link to the file(s).
If you would like to feature one of your files on a Website or blog there is also an option for you. That’s the embeddable document viewer. To get the viewer you’ll copy the provided embed code and place it on your site where needed.
If you want to start hosting free meetings like me, visit Acrobat.com and create your free account today. Also please leave me a comment on how you are implementing these tools into your business.
Other posts you may enjoy:
Tags: online meetings, collaboration solution, free technology, ConnectNow, video conferencing, Acrobat
This post couldn’t have come at a more perfect time! Our marketing person is relocating to NYC for a few months and we needed a solution to meet online. We have tried several different products, but haven’t really found one we liked. I tried Adobe’s version today and LOVE all of the cool features, especially the video. A much better solution than the other products out there and it is even free! Thanks, Reggie!
This is a great tip for small meetings!!! Thanks Reggie!!
I was just looking for a tool EXACTLY like this but couldn’t find it… glad I stumbled back to your always useful website…
[...] http://www.mytechopinion.com/2008/08/how-i-stopped-paying-for-online-meetings.html [...]