Phone vs. Email

Have you ever sent someone a quick question via email, only to receive a phone call from them a few minutes later? And instead of simply replying back to the email with a one sentence (or less) answer, they spend 10, 15, 30+ minutes on the phone talking about everything except the question you asked? Or, on the flip side, receiving an eight-paragraph email that would have only taken a few minutes to discuss over the phone or in person? Not to mention all of the other forms of communication available today (Facebook, Twitter, Ning, ? ok, the list is endless). How do you know what?s appropriate?

Photos by otjep and daniel437.

Think TIME and CLARITY. What will take the least amount of time while still conveying a clear message?

Email:

• Quick question needing a short answer
• List of many changes to a project (for easy and accurate reference)
• Needing files, fonts, logos, etc.
• Sending information during non-business hours
• Arranging meeting dates
• Needing to send the same information to multiple people

Telephone:

• Questions regarding an unclear email
• Topic with many talking points in need of a discussion
• Sensitive subject material that could be misconstrued in an email

These are only a few examples, and there are always exceptions (like a detailed email highlighting the points of a conversation or project for documentation). Knowing the other person is key, like calling people who never check their email, or emailing people who never answer their phone. Let?s face it, the goal is communication and there are definitely people who have strong preferences in using one or the other.

Saving your clients time is also saving them money. Finding the most efficient way to communicate with them will get the work done in the least amount of time? time you can use to check us out at www.thinkmoxie.com. (yes, shameless plug at the end)

? Post written by Cristy Wiza.