Often a text message is the first point of contact because it’s fast and easy. According to Linkedin, 95% of texts are opened within the first three minutes of receiving them, making it quick and efficient to communicate both socially and professionally. Therefore, more than ever, it’s important to understand proper etiquette when texting with co-workers to maintain professionalism and strong communication. Here are some dos and don’ts to keep in mind:
Do’s:
- Be sure to introduce yourself the first time you text someone, as you shouldn’t assume the person has your number saved. A simple “Hello Sarah, this is Amy” will do.
- Respect boundaries: Be mindful of the time when texting co-workers and avoid sending messages late at night or early in the morning unless it’s urgent. The respectful time for business phone use is 9 am to 6 pm.
- Use professional language when texting for work: Just like in any other form of communication in the workplace, maintain a professional tone and use appropriate language when texting with co-workers.
- Keep it concise and clear: Text messages should be brief and to the point. Avoid long-winded messages or unnecessary details. Get straight to the point of your message. Don’t include small details.
- Double-check before sending: Take a moment to review your message before hitting send. Make sure there are no typos, grammatical errors, or unintended tone that could be misinterpreted. You don’t want to be the office topic of conversation with an accidental message sent…eek!
Don’ts:
- For work, avoid using emojis altogether, as emojis can be seen as unprofessional in many industries and can also have dual meanings. While it’s true that emojis can add a touch of friendliness to your social messages, use them appropriately. Click here to read more about hidden emoji meanings.
- Avoid sensitive topics or confidential information: Texting is not the best way to discuss sensitive or complex issues. Save those conversations for face-to-face interactions or formal emails.
- Refrain from using slang or abbreviations: Avoid acronyms like TY and instead spell out “thank you”. While it may be accepted among friends, using slang or excessive abbreviations in professional texts can come across as unprofessional. Stick to formal language.
- Don’t spam: Avoid bombarding your friends, acquaintances or co-workers with unnecessary or excessive messages. As a general rule of thumb, if someone has not written you back after the last couple of texts, wait until they do before you continue on.
- Avoid using text for urgent matters: If something is urgent or requires immediate attention, opt for a phone call or face-to-face conversation instead of relying on text messages, which may not be seen in a timely manner.
- Don’t assume availability: Just because someone has a smartphone doesn’t mean they’re available to respond instantly. Respect your co-workers’ schedules and don’t expect immediate responses to non-urgent messages.
By having good text manners and following these simple guidelines, you can navigate texting etiquette with co-workers and friends easily.