Communicating Effectively Online
In our last blog post, “Integrate Your Communications for Better Efficiency and Broader Coverage,” we explained the reasons you should consider linking your various communications together. In this post we give you tips for making those communications more effective.
Developing a valuable online presence takes time and part of that process involves developing authentic relationships. How do you do this? Since the majority of your online communication involves writing, in your writing you should:
- Be conversational.
- Be authoritative but not arrogant.
- Use humor carefully.
- Apologize for blunders.
- Give the other guy the benefit of the doubt. (He may have just made a blunder himself.)
- Review for typos, grammatical errors, clarity and tone.
- Make it interesting.
- Be concise.
- Be consistent.
When you communicate online, remember the reason for your communication. This will help you with content and tone. Are you:
- Participating in an intellectual exchange?
- Trying to influence your audience?
- Making new contacts?
- Communicating with a prospect?
- Learning something new from the community?
- Keeping up with recent happenings?
- Making an announcement?
Knowing your reason for communicating will keep you on track to delivering your message effectively.
Watch how others present themselves online and judge for yourself if you want to approach your audience in a similar way. Remember that quality is more important than quantity. If you’re Tweeting seven times a day, make sure your Tweets are relevant to your audience. Others are online for the same reasons as you. Give them what they are looking for in your communications and you will build trust and authority.
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