Michelle Rafter’s recent post about cutting costs from your freelance business got me thinking about the whole landline vs. cell phone vs. voice over IP debate. I’ve been freelancing full-time since 2008 and in that time, I’ve never used a landline for business. I suspect that in the near future, except in areas with really spotty internet and cell service, landlines could go the way of the 8track and the dodo bird.
It’s crazy how fast things change nowadays because I grew up in a house with a rotary dial phone, and my mother didn’t even think to update it until one of my classmates said, “umm … Mrs. Johnston, how does this thing work?” when she tried to dial out. That’s my thoroughly modern mother for you. (She has a cordless phone and a cell phone now.)
If, like Michelle, you’re thinking about cutting the cord on your landline phone, I say go for it as long as you have a reliable internet connection and decent cell phone reception in the place(s) that you usually work. That’s the beauty of dropping the landline: you’re much more mobile because you can take calls almost anywhere (and with headsets or speakers, you don’t have to awkwardly cradle the phone against your neck).
I rarely make outgoing calls on my iPhone, because all those interviews and client chats would eat up about a zillion cell phone minutes. Instead, I use a combination of these three services:
- Skype
When I first went full-time freelance, Skype was my preferred method of calling sources and clients. It’s free to skype other users or you can get an inexpensive monthly subscription ($2.99 per month for unlimited calls to the US and Canada, for instance) to call any cell or landline. You can also get an online number to accept incoming calls, but that’s a little pricier. I found that the sound quality can be spotty and without a designated online number, sources are sometimes weirded out by the seemingly random assortment of numbers that shows up on their caller ID (more than one source thought I was a telemarketer and screened my call – oops!). I still use skype for video chatting with certain clients or communicating with sources in other parts of the world, but I’ve mostly transitioned to Google Voice. - Google Voice
Discovering Google Voice was like a revelation. The sound is usually clearer than skype, I can call the US and Canada for free, and I even snagged a phone number with my local area code (no more mistaking me for a telemarketer!). Google Voice also transcribes voice messages, and while the accuracy isn’t quite there yet, but I can usually get the gist of what the caller wants without listening to the message. Other cool features include the ability to send and receive text messages via Google Voice and forward to a landline or cell phone so you can answer even if you aren’t at your computer. The one downside is that there are a few numbers that just don’t seem to work on Google Voice; usually it’s those webinar call-in numbers, so in those rare cases, I use my iPhone. Occasionally Google Voice drops calls but that’s only happened to me once or twice, and it’s never been a big deal. (Most of my sources are talking on cell phones, so it’s not unheard of for their call to drop.) - FreeConferenceCall.com
When I interview multiple sources at once (for instance, cofounders of a startup or when a publicist asks to listen in on an interview) and they aren’t in the same physical space, I give them my FCC # so we can all jump on a call together. There’s an easy recording feature if you need to record interviews, but be sure to ask your sources first. As it turns out, my FCC does work on Google Voice, so I can call in that way.
Thank you for this post. I’ve used Skype and I have a Google Voice phone number but got it mostly to be able to give an alternate phone number to clients. I haven’t played with all the other features, though after a few loooong client calls on my cell phone, I need to.
Do you know if any of these services transcribe your live conversation?
Carrie: There are some add-ons you can use for recording but as far as I know, Skype and Google Voice don’t have that functionality built in. I typically use Garage Band to record calls on my MacBook and a friend just told me about an iPhone app called QuickVoice, which I’d like to try. Thanks for commenting!
Thanks for the write ups! After getting rid of a landline, it’s been hard to find a good system for recording interviews. I’ve actually used an iPhone on speaker with my digital recorder with some success, but I’ll look into Google Voice now.
I’ve always used my cell phone for my business, and that’s worked great. We keep a landline for faxes and for the kids (I’m not ready for them to have cell phones), but we’re looking for cheaper options than the Kings of Gouging, Comcast. Any thoughts on inexpensive landline services? We really don’t use that phone much, but being able to fax at will has been a benefit I’m not ready to live without.
Erin: You’re asking the wrong girl about inexpensive landlines. I haven’t had one in forever! It would depend on where you live. I think some companies have a monopoly in certain areas, unfortunately.
Also, if you’re happy using a landline for faxes, that’s great, but I wanted to mention that you could also look into services like eFax.
Allow a dinosaur to comment, Susan? I do not own a cell phone, much to my kids’ frustration. I still believe cell phone radiation will be proved to cause brain cancer years down the line and so urge people NOT to give up land lines. That is exactly what the cell companies want. The studies on brain cancer are suppressed. My ex used to work for a cell company in France and advised his own kids to always use earphones, not to hold the phone to the head, based on insider info. I’m fascinated by all these new options available to freelancers, though. But, I’m afraid it’s too late for us dinosaurs to adapt them.
Alexandra: You raise a good point about potential radiation. I understand that making calls over the internet isn’t for everyone but that wouldn’t have the same concerns as cell phones, would it?
I’m keeping my land line. Many phone companies have a very inexpensive option and mine costs $10 per month. I get to keep the number I’ve had for several years, and I have a line that usually works when we have major power outages.
I have a land line and will more than likely keep it. When our cellphone contract is up in August, my husband and I plan on switching to a pay by the minute cell phone and only use our phones when we’re on the road. I’ll take a land line any day but then I think I’m one of the dinosaurs mentioned above. New fangled electronic stuff doesn’t hold my interest, and I only use all the newer stuff when I feel I have to.
Google Voice is new to me. Will check it out. Thanks.
When I’m home I usually just use my cell phone, but when I’m abroad I use Skype. It’s been a lifesaver for talking with clients while I’ve been out of the country. The sound quality can be a bit difficult, though, and if your Internet connection sometimes goes a little wonky, you can get dropped calls. I’ll definitely try Google Voice–I’ve never used it before. Thanks for the suggestion!