By Tom Polanski

Online conferences, also called teleseminars, are a great way to build up your business.  Not in terms of profits (at least not yet) – but in terms of reaching out and creating a valuable customer base.  Hosting a free conference helps you not only create a positive atmosphere for your business and yourself, but also helps promote name recognition and your company brand. Many online services exist that will let you host a conference online. Many have free trials such as GoToMeeting.com and WebEx.com.  With these conferences, you dial a special number and optionally visit a certain web page – so that you are on the phone listening, while watching a presentation online.  It’s a great way to get customers actively interested in what you have to offer – without sounding like a sales pitch. If you’re not sure where to start, consider introducing yourself on different forums and message boards related to your subject.  Let people get to know you, and in the process, let them know that you’ll be hosting an online teleseminar that they are welcome to join for free.  Be sure to specify a date and time (and time zone!) and have your presentation prepared in advance. The main thing to remember is that even though this conference is free, you ultimately want your prospects to get something useful out of it.  Show them how to increase their sales, build a more responsive mailing list or how to improve their web page.  Anything which demonstrates something new and unique, or a proven technique you have used – is interesting to your audience. Don’t make the teleseminar too long.  People are giving you their time and they want something good to show for it.  Avoid the urge to go off on a totally unrelated angle or go on and on about one specific point.  You can even invite your audience to ask you questions – but be prepared to have some of your own questions for yourself in case they don’t.  There’s nothing worse than asking for questions and hearing nothing but silence! Whatever your marketing expertise – using teleseminars and free online conferences is a great way to build credibility and trust, which can ultimately lead to more sales!