Virtual Event Success

In a previous post, I documented the problem I’ve run into using free conference bridge line services. As a virtual event host, you’re losing sales because some of your prospects and customers can’t call into them.

I now rely heavily on paid conference bridge line services to deliver my virtual event content. However, just because you’re paying for the service every month doesn’t mean you won’t run into problems. And when you do, you need someone to hold your hand along the way.

That’s why you must choose a paid conference bridge line service that has customer support. And if email is the only way to contact them, then you’re up a brown creek without a paddle.

Because when you have 200 people calling into a bridge line service and you, as the virtual event host, are having trouble connecting, you need to be able to get the support team on the phone fast to help you resolve the problem.

The 4th Day Hex

I recently had a problem with a paid conference bridge line service that I was using for my 2010 Social Media Telesummit. I don’t know what sort of hex I have on me, but on the 4th day of the virtual event, the bridge line I was using stopped working. My account was deactivated and I couldn’t figure out why.

Now, I say that this is a hex because at the 2009 Social Media Telesummit, the paid bridge line service I was using switched the 10 digit phone number on the 4th day of my virtual event with absolutely no warning. It’s just so bizarre that I’m using another service, yet on the 4th day, I have problems.

The #1 Thing that Matters

In any case, the problem I had in 2009 took 3 days to resolve. Why? Because the only way I could connect with the support team was through a web based contact form.

Fast forward to 2010 and the problem took an hour to solve. Why? Because I could call the support team, alert them to the problem and get them to resolve it while my assistant and I communicated with our attendees to use the back up bridge number.

So, before you plunk down any money for a bridge line service, ensure that they have a support team that is available through a variety of different methods – phone, online chat, email or online ticket system. Any paid conference bridge line service worth their salt will provide these various methods of support to its clientele.

The features don’t really matter since most paid conference bridge line services offer the same thing. However, the #1 thing that you should focus on is their customer support. This should be the deciding factor before you plunk down any cash to use a paid conference bridge line service.

And just in case you were wondering, I use Instant Teleseminar. I chose them not only for the features, but because they provide ample ways to contact them. That was the deciding factor.

Be Sociable, Share!

•