Are you a teleseminar Newbie?
Learn how to enjoy the ease and convenience of a Teleseminar by following a few instructions…
Here are some frequently Asked Questions that will help you.

What Is A Teleseminar?
A Teleseminar is a class held over the telephone. Teleseminars allow you to learn from home, without the inconvenience of travel or preparation. No getting dress and struggling with traffic or finding a parking place.
I have found teleseminars a wonderful way of connecting with people that come from a wide geographical distance (my record so far is 6 different time zones on one call). I love being able to share my knowledge and insights with you through via the telephone. As a very low techie, I sometimes struggle with the technology aspect, but for you, I you can pick up a phone and dial, you have all the skills required to enjoy this learning experience.
The number you dial is to a prearranged bridgeline. The bridgeline acts as a hub and connects all of us together. The classes are live and interactive. You can ask questions and share ideas (in fact you are encouraged too).
I usually select a few participants to interact with we throughout the call. Let me know if you would like to be one. It is much like any phone conversation with a friend – at their best, teleseminars are live and it's interactive. It is also amazing to think that you are participating in an adult learning community with people from all over the world.
Teleseminars are wonderful, because they allow you to listen in while enjoying the comfort of your own home. You can also ask questions anyone looking at you since everyone is listening, not looking.
What do you do?
If you have never taken a teleseminar before, to be successful is very simple. Just follow a few guidelines to make it a pleasant experience for you and everyone else.

1. Make sure the room you are in for the call is as quiet as possible. Background noise makes it very difficult for everyone to hear the call when the phone lines are opened.
2. Use a LAND LINE, NOT a cell phone. Cell phones often experience poor transmission, and if you get cut off, re-entering the call is distracting to everyone else. (cordless phones are ok, if they're well charged, and don't have a lot of interference, but a corded phone is the best). Some people have used Skye, the on-line phone service, successfully and others have struggled with static and interference. Once we had to ask a Skype user to exit the call so that everyone else could hear it.
3. Call in a few minutes BEFORE the class is due to start, to ensure that you are there on time, so we can begin promptly. I usually have a few minutes of introductions of participants before the call is set to start.
4. If you have a "privacy" button on your phone, we recommend using it to keep down excess noise, unless you are interacting with the call. I will usually announce a number you enter to self mute your line as well.
5. Have a pen and paper handy for taking notes. It's much quieter than typing your notes.
6. If you have a headset compatible telephone, USE the headset. It will be much more comfortable. Remember, the call is usually ONE HOUR or longer.
7. You will be charged by your telephone company for the long distance rates to call in to the bridgeline. If you are not on a good long distance plan, we suggest you find one of the many available calling card - often they are very cost effective, especially if you're not calling from your own phone.
8. When you register for a teleconference, you'll be given the date, time, phone number and password to participate. Be sure to write this information on your calendar so you don't forget or print up the backup email you will receive.
9. Even though the teleseminars may be free, it is best that all your friends and family register separately for the call. I often send our handouts, updates, questionnaires, surveys, and confirmations before and after the scheduled teleconference. It they are not registered they may not receive the information.
10. Watch the time. I usually list the time as Eastern Standard Time. Since most people know how to make the conversion. I am located in Central Time so I too must calculate the time. Enter this information on your calendar as soon as possible.
11. From the comfort of your own home or office, call the bridgeline phone number at the scheduled date and time of the teleconference, and when prompted, enter your pass code.
12. If you have been invited to join me during the call, you will also be given a moderator pin number to enter. This allows you to join me throughout the call without the concern of being muted.
13. You'll immediately be connected "live" call with me and the other participants.

Is this just lecture, or can I ask questions?
Please ask questions. It is no fun to sit and be talked to…even for the one doing the talking. Every call is different, so there are many variables. You will have lots of opportunities to engage in the dialogue.

• I ask people to submit questions before the call.
• I also stop approximately every 10-15 minutes for questions.
• At the end of the call, I will also open the lines for questions and comments. I use this way to wrap up the energy.

How do I know I've called the right number?
You'll call in a few minutes before the session is set to begin. The host will ask you your name when you call in. (Others in the room will hear a short beep to let them know someone has arrived.) If you are the first one in the room, you'll just wait a minute or two until someone else arrives.
What if I'll be a little late for the call?
If you dial in late, we may not ask you to introduce yourself, as it would interrupt the presenter. If you're really late, call in anyway but enter quietly.
Do I have to be computer literate?
No. Teleseminars are NOT conducted via the Internet or computer. If you can use a telephone, then you can effective join a teleseminar.
Will I be given a toll free number to call?
No. We will be using different numbers for different teleseminars. You are responsible for paying for the call, which will appear on your long distance phone bill as a regular long distance call. No other charges are tacked on to the call, just whatever your long distance company charges you. If there is a fee for the call, you will pay for the teleseminar before the call and you will know it up front.
Can I talk to other participants during the call?
This learning medium is designed to be instructor-focused, so you should plan on interacting with the host and/or Guest Expert, not with other participants. If other people you know are on the call, please refrain from exchanges like "Hi Jane! I haven't talked to you in a while. How's the weather in San Francisco?" This just bogs down the call. The bridge line we are using allows us to mute everyone except the presenter/moderators, which we do except during the Q & A period. We also encourage everyone to mute their own phone unless they are asking a question. The less interfering sound on the line, the better everyone can hear.
I have call waiting. What if I get a call during the Teleseminar?
If you have call waiting, please disable it before calling in by dialing *70 and waiting for the dial tone.
Can I get copies of the Teleseminar after the call is over?
Yes. Generally the teleseminar are recorded and made available to participants after the call is complete. You will be emailed as to when these are available. They are usually available in one of three formats: MP3 format for downloading, standard CD, and in a written transcript.
Can I invite my friends and family to attend the teleseminar?
Yes, when you receive the invitation to the event, you are encouraged to share it with anyone who may be interested. Once you register and receive the confirmation and call in numbers, you are asked not to share these. If they want to attend the event, they must register independently.
Descriptions of my teleseminars and information on registration are sent to members of my email mailing list regularly. You may also call me (Heather) at 219-662-7248 for information and registration.  If you are not on my mailing list, please signup below. I do not share my list ever.