Dear Mr. Internet,

Dear Mary,

It sure can be frustrating trying to describe something on your Website just using the phone.  In fact, I have even caught myself pointing to my screen and saying "it's right there" as if the person on the other end of the line could see my finger!  Fortunately, there is a powerful, easy, and affordable new tool you can use to guide anyone through your Website as if you were both in the same room.  And the best part is you can try it out for free within minutes of finishing this article...

This new Web-based service is called "Go To Meeting" (http://www.gotomeeting.com) and is from the same awesomely bright folks who thought up GoToMyPC (http://www.gotomypc.com) several years ago.  With Go To Meeting you can have up to 10 people see your screen at the same time and, as the meeting "organizer", you can assign control of your mouse and keyboard to any of the others.  In fact they can even have you view and/or control their computer during the same meeting.  This is a perfect environment to visually "walk" clients and prospects through your Website, and so much more! (this assumes that you and your clients can be on the Net and the phone at the same time)

Go To Meeting is a Web-based meeting service similar to Webex, WebConference, etc., but with several advantages. First and foremost, Go To Meeting is priced as a "all you can meet" one-time annual fee which includes meetings with up to 10 simultaneous meeting attendees (all must be online to participate), with no limitations as to the amount of time or number of times you use the service.  Almost all other similar services charge a fee per person per minute of use which can get to be expensive in a hurry.  And, Go To Meeting gives you the ability to set up the concomitant conference call (for up to 10 attendees) at no extra charge to you or the other attendees other than your typical long distance call fee.  The special introductory annual fee is US $468.00.

Go To My Meeting uses patented technology that allows attendees to join in even if they use a slow dialup connection.  Also, Go To Meeting is the only online meeting service I'm aware of that shows the true colors of the screen being shared --most other services will reduce the number of colors shown (thus reducing the visual impact of what you are trying to show) to speed up the screen sharing process. 

Instant Meetings

As of this writing you can try out Go To Meeting for free.  After you register at their Website, a small Java applet will download and install on your PC (this only happens once) which allows you to start meetings with anyone else online.  Once installed, you can start or schedule a meeting simply by logging in at http://www.gotomeeting.com and click the appropriate buttons.  However, an even simpler method is to use the GoToMeeting toolbar that automatically installs in Outlook.

From there you can start or schedule a meeting without having to log-in.  The system lets you send an e-mail (with log-in information) to all attendees of your meeting.  It will even send out an Outlook calendar item with the date, time, and reminder --very handy for those attendees using Outlook.  When you have your first meeting you will see how incredibly easy this service is to use (another major advantage over most other systems).  The Go To Meeting folks really know how to design intuitive and user-friendly Web interfaces.

There are many ways you can use Go To Meeting in your business, here are just a few ideas:

• Client Demonstrations and Support - you or your assistant can show your clients how to use certain parts of your site or other online services (i.e. checking on their transaction status online if you use Online Transaction Management tools, etc.)
• Unforgetable Live Assistance - armed with GoToMeeting, one of your assistants (or VAs) can help prospects and leads when they phone in for more information --imagine the impact you will have when you literally "take them there" over the Net!
• Presentations - why take the time to travel to you prospect's home if you can meet with them online and demonstrate how you are going to powerfully sell their listing, etc.
• Staff Training - if you have one or more assistants that need to learn how you want something done, you can use GoToMeeting as a training platform that doesn't require them to all be in the same room (perfect for working with Virtual Assistants too!)
• Working With Your Web Designer - now you can show your Web designer exactly what you are talking about instead of trying to describe it.
• Tech Support - using GoToMeeting you can invite that techie friend of yours to help you out with software or other computer issues at a moment's notice

With GoToMeeting you are really limited only by your imagination.  It is another way to connect and interact powerfully with your prospects, clients, and staff for less time, effort and money than just about any other alternative --and, no more smudge marks on your computer screen!

(NOTE: Mr. Internet, his company and staff receive no compensation whatsoever from any third-party vendors or service providers. Investigate any products or services found on the Net thoroughly to your satisfaction before using them at your own risk.)

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Mr. Internet is the alter-ego of Michael J. Russer, an internationally recognized Internet speaker, trainer, author, and strategic consultant to the real estate industry. He's dedicated to helping real estate professionals leverage their people skills into profit on the Internet. You'll see his column on REALTOR� Magazine Online every month and in the magazine quarterly. Send your Internet questions to help@askmrinternet.com or you can visit his Website at http://www.russer.com