1. Google Voice

2. Why Google Voice?

3. No, Really. Why? You’re moving and don’t know what your new number will be. You’re moving but want to keep a local number. You don’t want to pay for a 2nd line for business. You’re hard to reach. You want to be hard to reach.

4. Set Up Your Number First, sign in to Google. If you don’t have a Google account, set one up. It doesn’t have to be a Gmail account.

5. Pick a Number We picked a (415) number for BACN since we meet in San Rafael.

6. Create a PIN

7. Add a Forwarding Phone You can take it off later, but need it to set up your account.

8. Verify Your Number This is why you need that forwarding phone.

9. Click Your Number for Settings This is not obvious and took me forever to figure out.

10. Set Up Voicemail Options

11. Get a Call Widget

12. Or Just Post Your Number

13. Listen to Your Messages The transcriptions are hilarious but the actual recordings are clear. You can also download messages as MP3 files. (Great for podcasters.)

14. Make Outgoing Calls Free within US Can buy credit for international calls Need a phone connected to account

15. More About Google Voice http://www.google.com/googlevoice/about.html