The Communication Trend That Will Boost Your Productivity

A lot of you old-schoolers are annoyed that people do not pick up their phone or return phone calls. You miss the touch and feel of connecting over the phone and it’s frustrating when your calls go unanswered.

You have two choices: you can either complain about it or you can adapt (and I’ll let you in on a little secret, complaining won’t get people to return phone calls).

Look at the market! Texting is the most frequently used form of communication among Americans younger than 50. While some may consider a text message less personal than a phone call, texting is often the preferred method of communication. Calling annoys people, especially millennials who have grown up in a world where messaging is the main form of communication.

Not only do people favor text messages but they are also more likely to receive the info that you send! You get a notification, you look at your phone and BAM! You have the information. And that’s the ultimate goal, right? Seriously, texting is a win-win situation.

Want a happy medium? Leave a voice text. It’s just like voicemail but it shows up in the text message application as a sound bite. It’s a phenomenal way to communicate. And it’s super easy for people to respond with a quick confirmation.

Look, it’s not that I don’t empathize. There is definitely a time and a place for phone calls. There are people in your sphere who appreciate a phone call (like your mother) but for communicating simple information, a text message is a non-intrusive way to connect.

While I definitely advocate texting, I can’t emphasize enough that you should be communicating with people using whatever platform they prefer. This isn’t about you and what works best for you. You gotta make it easy for people to receive the information that you are delivering. If you have a client who doesn’t check their email very often, don’t email them about an open house! If you have to email a document to them, call them or text them to let them know that you sent them an email. The point is to reach out to people in whatever way they want to be communicated with whether it’s text, voice, email, Facebook or carrier pigeon.

So there you have it, I give you permission to pry the phone away from your ear and I encourage you to explore other ways of effectively communicating with your clients and colleagues.

Make. It. Happen!

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