7 of the rules of business communication in the messengers

1. Do not use the messenger as the only channel of communication

Chat - is for efficiency. In it convenient to quickly clarify the working moments, which can not wait. However, it is not necessary to translate the whole working conversation in Messenger: key messages in it are lost (and sometimes their is removed), and to discuss the issue often connect people whose competence does not include decision making. It only complicates communication.

2. Do not make important decisions in correspondence

Despite the indiscriminate use of messengers in small as well as for international companies, business etiquette until this refers to the official channel. So, the truth is for those who have secured an agreement with the email-writing a disputable situation occurs.

Use a working email to secure agreements reached WhatsApp or Telegram, and coordinate further action.

Another argument in favor of this recommendation - to mail the documents are stored more securely, if necessary, you will quickly find the desired information. While the chat you can eliminate, and the messenger, and all can be blocked tomorrow.

3. Keep them short and to the point

Members messengers do not like long posts that need to scroll endlessly.

Formulate your thoughts clearly and unambiguously and stick to the rule of "one thought - one message." Be concise, not to express figuratively and avoid words-parasites. It clogs the conversation. Instead of a long time to describe something, send an example - a link or picture. So your interlocutor will understand immediately what I mean.

4. Watch for messages style

Working correspondence in the messenger does not involve such an informal communication that you can afford with her best friend or mother. After creating the chat or dialogue is not necessary to send a bunch of Smiley and use words which may be unknown to your companions (eg, ASAP or "forvardnut").

To make it easier to switch from personal communication to work, distribute correspondence messengers. So, Telegram, you can use for your communication, and WhatsApp - personal.

5. Be careful with emoticons

Emoticons in business correspondence have long been the subject of lively debate. But if we talk about common rules, everything here is quite simple.

If you have just met a man, and have not seen it in person, do not send him smiles: he can not estimate, and your future communication will develop is not the best way.

When you are chatting with a colleague or client who knows for a long time, and you know how he responds to messages, emoticons are appropriate. However, it is still better to do a standard set, and stickers with Egor Letov and caricatures of famous politicians better left to friends.

6. Do not be afraid to often use a question mark

The main task of the correspondence in the messenger - to quickly get answers to current issues. However, many often describe in detail the essence of the issue, but do not explain what they want to get from colleagues or customer.
Ask questions, use question marks. This will draw the attention of the interlocutor to the message and encourage him to answer you as soon as possible.

7. check T9

AutoCorrect to avoid spelling mistakes, but sometimes it works against you. If instead of the word "produktolog" you send a "proctologist", the recipients do not immediately understand the meaning. And those who have a sense of humor is not very much, and does offended.

If possible, use the desktop version of messenger. Before sending a message, you can quickly check for errors and fix them if necessary.

see also

• 13 things in business correspondence that just enrage →
• Secrets of business email-correspondence →
• "Politeness - this is not the word." Why so much hypocrisy and how to get rid of it in business correspondence →