Skype for Book Clubs by Dee Stewart

Summertime is one of the heaviest times of the year for book clubs to meet their favorite author. But the US economy’s recession has challenged the way authors meet their fans. Thank goodness for Web 2. 0 technology.

With Voice Over Internet Protocol(VoIP) book clubs can hang out with their favorite author on the cheap and in the comfort of their own homes. Moreover using VoIP’s will greater the probability of an author meeting his/her scheduled book club, since challenges like flight delays, double bookings, etc.  VIPs give you and the author’s publicist more opportunities to connect with your book club.

Skype is the most widely used VoIP program for PC to PC calling, and allows you to talk to anyone around the world for free. One of the most popular Skype users on the planet is Oprah Winfrey, the book club queen.

Below is a guide for using Skype for book clubs.

Book Club Technology Requirements:

You must ensure that both you and your scheduled author meet these requirements. (Contact me for a listing of authors who Skype.)

• A broadband Internet connection
• A microphone
• Speakers
• Skype

Setup Instructions:

_1. Visit www.skype.com/go/downloading to download a free installation of the software.

_2. Once it downloads you will see a pop up window asking you “what do you want to do with skype.setup.exe. Click ‘Run,’ to execute the program.

_3. A confirmation message may appear asking if you’re sure you want to run this software. Just click ‘Run’ again.

_4. When the download has finished, the Skype Setup Wizard will appear and guide you through the rest of the installation.

NOTE:  Do not install Internet Explorer toolbar unless you want it. It’s not necessary at all, and you have enough to deal with.

_5.  After the installation is complete, you will see a blue circle with a white S inside icon on your PC desktop.  This is the Skype Icon. Click it.

6. For your first time you will see a login dialogue box. This is where you will enter your Skype login details. At this point you don’t have an account. You must create one.  Click “Don’t have a Skype name” underneath the Username field. Fill out the complete dialogue box and accept the terms and conditions, by clicking next. Another dialogue box pops up asking for your current email address and your Country and city. After filling out these fields, hit “Sign in” and you should be signed in.

_7. After you have successfully signed in for the first time, a “getting started” guide will appear. This guide will help you configure your mic and speakers.

_8..  To test your set-up, go to the main Skype window. In the contacts section, there should be 1 contact, the Skype test call. By calling this number (double clicking) you can listen to what your microphone sounds like, and what to expect from a call. Once you are satisfied with your sound, the set-up is complete.

Organizing your Skype Book Club Event.

1. Designate a date and venue for your meeting.

2. Contact the author or her/his publicist to place them on your Skype meeting calendar.

3. Exchange Skype numbers.

4. Confirm your Skype meeting one month before the event.

5. Order books. (Check with me on bookstores who have discount rates for book clubs.)

6. Read book.

7. Create author questions. You can submit them before hand or ask on fly. Make sure the author is comfortable with the questions. Obtain a fact/interview sheet from author or publicist. This sheet will help you build your questions and learn something unique about the author, when the author will be coming to or near your city.

Have Big Fun

Dee Stewart
DeeGospel PR
www.deestewart.com
www.christianfiction.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/dee.stewart
770.298.7539
Deegospelpr@gmail.com
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