Note, Email, Phone, Face to Face or Text?
I think handwritten notes are cool! I like writing them and I love receiving them. I received a handwritten note in the mail from the waiter that we had at Sullivan's. Did you read that? The waiter from Sullivan's sent me a handwritten note- my first thought is what a great idea! I will for sure ask for him the next time I go to Sullivan's. I still am not sure how he got my address.
So here are my rules- Caroline's rules- for types of communication. Your rules might be different but I think it is a good idea to have rules. I think it is a good idea to have rules for everything.
1) Handwritten notes are always good. They are good if you send them even if time has passed- sometimes I think better. You should ALWAYS write a handwritten note when someone has given you their time (especially in a business setting), when someone has given you gift or when someone has done special you feel like is special. There is never a bad time for a handwritten note.
2) Use the type of communication with a client- or anyone for that matter- that they prefer. I have client's that prefer email, phone, text, fax - I try to use the communication that THEY prefer to receive. If someone contacts you contact them back in the same manor. If they email you- email them back. If they call you- do NOT email them. I send texts to my step son because I typically receive a response- if I call him many times he does not call me back. He prefers texts.
3) When you are meeting with someone face to face or via a conference call do NOT talk on the phone, return emails or texts when you are with that person. The entire time! Turn your phone off or on mute. I think this sounds pretty simple- you go to the movie and you turn your phone off but it seems like people do it all the time. I met someone recently for a coffee and she spoke on the phone with someone else for the first 10 minutes of our time together. It seemed weird to me.
4) Have one phone number- this can be a hard one but I think more and more people are moving towards this. Specifically when you are a client based situation, they should not have to call two or three numbers to find you. Have one number that follows you everywhere. Make it easy for people to reach you.
That's it- those are my rules. What are your communication rules? They don't have to mirror mine but think about how you are communicating with clients, potential client, friends and family. Make sure you are respecting their form of communication.
So here are my rules- Caroline's rules- for types of communication. Your rules might be different but I think it is a good idea to have rules. I think it is a good idea to have rules for everything.
1) Handwritten notes are always good. They are good if you send them even if time has passed- sometimes I think better. You should ALWAYS write a handwritten note when someone has given you their time (especially in a business setting), when someone has given you gift or when someone has done special you feel like is special. There is never a bad time for a handwritten note.
2) Use the type of communication with a client- or anyone for that matter- that they prefer. I have client's that prefer email, phone, text, fax - I try to use the communication that THEY prefer to receive. If someone contacts you contact them back in the same manor. If they email you- email them back. If they call you- do NOT email them. I send texts to my step son because I typically receive a response- if I call him many times he does not call me back. He prefers texts.
3) When you are meeting with someone face to face or via a conference call do NOT talk on the phone, return emails or texts when you are with that person. The entire time! Turn your phone off or on mute. I think this sounds pretty simple- you go to the movie and you turn your phone off but it seems like people do it all the time. I met someone recently for a coffee and she spoke on the phone with someone else for the first 10 minutes of our time together. It seemed weird to me.
4) Have one phone number- this can be a hard one but I think more and more people are moving towards this. Specifically when you are a client based situation, they should not have to call two or three numbers to find you. Have one number that follows you everywhere. Make it easy for people to reach you.
That's it- those are my rules. What are your communication rules? They don't have to mirror mine but think about how you are communicating with clients, potential client, friends and family. Make sure you are respecting their form of communication.
posted by Caroline at
7:39 AM
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