Don’t overuse texting

Several years ago, when I noticed the rampant growth of cellphone texting, I had a decidedly negative reaction.

I already was feeling overwhelmed by the number of messages I received each day by email, voicemail and snail mail.

“Oh no,” I thought. “Texting is going to force me to deal with even more information.”

And indeed, it has. But guess what?

Texting also has enabled me to communicate better and faster with many prospects and clients. Have thumbs, will sell. Although I have become an enthusiastic texter, I avoid using only that mode of communication. I consciously switch around. The computer, the telephone, even letterhead stationery still have a place in my efforts to influence others in the workplace.

Texting is not an all-or-nothing proposition.

“Text messaging with cellphones is a common method of communication outside the workplace,” writes Shelley Frost at www.smallbusiness.com. “Texting naturally filters into the small business world in some situations, especially when employees are issued a company cellphone. Texting for either personal or professional reasons during work hours comes with pros and cons as well as safety and privacy concerns.”

If you need to tell a customer in East Bradford that you’re running late for your appointment, I say text your little heart out — a pro. But if you want to smooth over a bad reaction to a delivery delay in Malvern, you’ll do better with a face-to-face meeting — a con.

Here are some tips you may want to consider when making the decision about how to deliver your message:

• Consider the other person’s preferences. If you receive regular texts on a wide range of topics from your boss, then go with the same method of communication. Barbie Carpenter, writ--

The computer, the telephone, even letterhead stationery still have a place in my efforts to influence others in the workplace. Texting is not an allor-nothing proposition.

ing at at www.chow.com, says two situations exist that demand texting. “First, it is appropriate to respond to a text message sent by a business colleague,” Carpenter writes. “Second, send a text message if your colleague specifically requests text messages as his preferred form of communication.”

• Understand the limitations. For communicating with people you already know, you’d be hard pressed to find a more efficient method than texting. But, even in this high-tech age, you need to talk with people face to face and over the phone to create the kind of strong business relationships that result in promotions and raises.

• Put safety first. Tempted to text while you’re driving to a client’s office on Route 202 or operating heavy equipment at a construction site in downtown West Chester? Well, get over it. Recent studies indicate that a person who texts and drives is just as dangerous on the road as one who drinks and drives. I, for one, don’t want to see your body splattered on High Street.

• Reserve for urgent matters. Unlike personal messaging, texting at work about inconsequential issues can be annoying. Todd Smith, a writer at www.littlethings.com, thinks may texts are downright disruptive. “People don’t like being interrupted unless it’s urgent and they are more productive if they respond to all their messages during scheduled blocks of time,” Smith writes.

• Avoid equating casual and sloppy. Some men and women harbor the belief that poor spelling and grammar are perfectly acceptable in texts. Don’t fall for that form of lazy reasoning. Sure, texts are less formal than traditional business letters. But “casual” doesn’t mean error-packed.

• Beware of excess abbreviations. Most texters know commonly use shortcuts such as “u” for “you” and “lol” for “laughing out loud.” But everyone may not be familiar with more esoteric letter combinations such as “jk” for “just kidding.” If a recipient is unable to understand what you’re trying to say, your efforts have gone right down the drain. “There is such a thing as inappropriate abbreviation,” writes Vivian Giang at www.businessinsider.com. As an example, she uses “wtf,” meaning “what the f.” I suspect you can fill in the final word without any help from me.

• Use emojis sparingly. Those cute little drawings of faces, food, vehicles and the like are great when you text to your family and friends. Formality, begone. My 12-year-old niece, for example, recently complimented me on my use of emojis, especially one that looks like a Hershey’s kiss. Never run across it? Well, the next time you text, simply type the word “poop” and it will pop up. That said, I suggest that including this chocolatelike blob in a business context will surely destroy your text appeal.