Google Voice is something that I’ve been using for the past few months and I’m pretty much sold out to it, even though it’s not a perfect solution by any stretch of the imagination.
Many people though are still unsure about what it even is. From Google themselves:
Google Voice is about giving you more control over your communications, through dozens of features — ranging from call screening to voicemail transcription to the ability to send and receive SMS by email.
Here’s a great intro vid of what Google Voice is:
Pretty neat, right?
In addition, here are some more videos that can help you discover how Google Voice can be effectively used by you (and your ministry):
Voicemail Transcription:
One Number:
Personalized Greeting:
International Calling:
SMS to Email:
Share Voicemails:
Block Callers:
Screen Callers:
Mobile App:
Conference Calls:
At LifeChurch.tv Church Online we use Google Voice for a hotline for volunteers to call if something goes wrong technically with an worship experience. It’s a way for them to get in touch with a staff member who is “on call” since the experiences are run by volunteers. It helps a LOT!
that’s awesome! thanks for sharing that!
Wow, either they’ve really built out their features since launch, or I missed a boatload of them the first time around.
Regardless, GVoice is looking to change the way we talk for sure…
they’ve been building it out, but yeah, it’s pretty robust.
P.S. we used it to get a free “text-in questions” service, talk about boss.
haha. word.
We’ve been looking at Google Voice – working on implementing it in our communications strategy in the near future. In particular, we’re looking at doing text registrations for upcoming events and eventually hosting an information headquarters via phone and text using the functionality of Google Voice.
let us know how ti goes!
your readers my find of interest an article that i just did for MediaSalt.com … http://mediasalt.com/friday-four-google-goodness
cool man.
Wow, I’ve had a Google Voice number for a while and didn’t realize the powerful range of services and features it really can provide. Thanks for putting this post of videos together.
sure thing!
I love Google Voice. I’m about to cancel our home phone and change my Google Voice number to our home phone number and just have it forward to our cell phones… cause it’s free. Seems like a no-brainer. Google is awesome.
home phone num? sad!
At Seacoast we’ve used google voice as a tech-on-call number. It’s not a perfect solution, but it has worked for us for some time.
I personally use it as my work number because I can set it to not ring outside of office hours.
(it also comes in handy for a public number on craigslist.
sweet! thanks brad.
I have a number, but there are a few things that keep it from being really useful to me. First, there are no local numbers available in my small town. Second, I can’t set my work phone to ring because you have to dial an extension to reach me. When at least one of these two is remedied, I suspect I’ll use it a lot more.
ah. yes. perhaps.
Favorite Google Voice use: backs up all SMS messages and makes them searchable. Now SMS can be a database like gmail.
seriously cool.
I use Google Voice for a variety of reasons but most importantly to handle SMS throughout the day. I’ve always got Chrome open (w/ One Number extension: https://chrome.google.com/extensions/detail/cfkohgkpafhkpdcnfadadcibfboapggi ) and being able to carry on an SMS conversation with someone sure beats digging the phone out of my pocket and burning-through my monthly quota.
sweet! we need a list of awesome chrome extensions.
hmmm, I think i might just press that “Request Invite” Link ….
No
doh
only for the US
Maybe I need to apply for that Media Producter position at NorthPoint, you know, so I can have Google Voice.
yes.
Google Voice has the potential to be a great tool for churches….IF the legacy telecom companies and the FCC don’t work to impose outdated regulatory controls:
http://www.informationweek.com/news/internet/google/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=220600177
Over at Church Tech Matters, I blogged about Google Voice and it’s potential for ministry use. I consult with a number of small churches and Google Voice could be a huge win for them from an expense and functionality standpoint. You can check the article out here:
http://churchtechmatters.com/2009/07/14/google-voice-a-new-tool-for-ministry/
Personally, my Google Voice # is the one I give out nowdays – mainly for the call routing, custom messaging and management possibilities. I’m using the badge on my current blog and will use it on my new site that’s getting ready to launch.
Forgot to add…there is a great Google Voice addon for Firefox. Makes phone #’s on pretty much any website “click-to-call”.
How convenient is that?
hehe. great stuff.
We use Google Voice as a call-in tech support number, but in a specific way. All calls go to voicemail, where they are captured, transcribed (poorly), and forwarded to our Zendesk support software as new requests so our support team can handle them appropriately.
Personally, I use GV in its traditional form. No hacking or special routing. It integrates pretty seamlessly with Android (Nexus One), so it feels like a normal phone service for me.
I was looking into getting one about 3 wks ago but they said you need an invite to get one
would anyone be so kind in inviting me?
-steve
steve, i’ve got an invite. email me.
I have a Google Voice number, but have been hesitant to use it. If people call me on the GV number, it goes to my cell, which burns up “out of network” minutes. I try to keep my minutes to the lowest plan possible. Anyone come up with a way to overcome this obstacle?