9 Rules for Better Texting – The New You of Texting for the New Year

Your kids may have their own phone and you’ve gotten into the habit of texting them to keep track of them, right?

Have those texting habits seeped over into your professional life too?

Maybe you are relying too much on your phone instead of remembering the “old days” before this simple, convenient means of communication?

Here are 9 tips from business etiquette expert Barbara Pachter, author of the new etiquette book GREET! EAT! TWEET! 52 Business Etiquette Postings To Avoid Pitfalls & Boost Your Career (CreateSpace, November 4, 2010, ISBN 978-1453600344). Take charge of your texting in the new year and integrate these rules into your daily texting habits.

• Never Text an Apology – Pachter sites a recent situation where the Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young apologized to his coach via text and Coach Jeff Fisher didn’t take too kindly to this. She says the best way by far is in person and then by phone, if in person is not an option.
• Never Text Negative Feedback – have the guts to say what needs to be said in person. Pachter does say you can text good news so the recipient gets it immediately.
• Don’t rely on texts to change plans such as meeting times  or locations – Pachter warns the recipient may not check his or her phone regularly.
• Never quit your job via text – this simply must be done in person, otherwise you risk burning your bridge with your boss. You might need him or her for a reference in the future.
• Make sure you choose your words very carefully – tone sometimes doesn’t come through the right way via text and you may sound harsher than you mean to.
• Use abbreviations appropriately – make sure the recipient understands the meanings of your abbreviations and that being informal (for example, “u” for “you”) is appropriate.
• When sending email for your phone, don’t use abbreviations like you would with texts – Pachter’s example is a woman who used her phone to send a thank you note email after a job interview, using text abbreviations and that informal use of the language cost her the position.
• Never text during someone’s presentation – it is rude and noticeable, no matter how subtle you think you are being.
• Never text while drinking – you may say something you will regret.

To read more tips and suggestions for texting and other means of communications, check out Pachter’s new book on Amazon.

Barbara Pachter is a speaker, coach and author of numerous business books, including The Power of Positive Confrontation ($14.95, paperback, Marlowe & Co.) and When the Little Things Count ($13.95, paperback, Marlowe & Co.)

She specializes in business etiquette and communication for companies worldwide. Her client list features major organizations, including Microsoft, Pfizer, Chrysler, Cisco and Genentech. Her website is www.pachter.com.