09 Jun 09 IM Netiquette for Freelance Professionals

If we go by the logic provided by Thomas L. Friedman in his book, “The World is Flat” then due to outsourcing the world has become flatter, and as an aftereffect, the offices has become larger. Anything that involves knowledge and computers can be and are getting outsourced. Now, more and more people from different locations on the globe are collaborating to make things work for their employer, which has turned the world into a giant office. The participants are working from the desks of their homes for the employer who is sitting in his air-conditioned office in one of the countries. Freelancing is on the rise, and so is the use of online collaboration and communication applications.

Instant messaging (IM), e-mailing and voice chatting are becoming the prime mode of communication. If you are a freelance professional then you spend a good deal of time communicating with clients on any of the various IM applications. IM and other online communication systems are around for quite some time, but unlike telephonic conversations, we are still not sure how to look professional while communicating over an IM application. It is not the freelancer only who faces this problem, but the client is also equally clueless about the IM netiquettes. To save yourself from the embarrassment, following are the mistakes that you need to be watchful of when communicating over an IM with your client or your service provider.

Disregarding the red signal

Do not buzz a person if the person is flashing a red light against his or her name, unless it is really important. The red light indicates that the person is busy doing some other work. If you need immediate attention and your work is really important then keep your communication as brief and quick as possible. The idea is not to kill the person for being online.

No regards for the status message

Most of us often do not waste their second thought on status messages like “on the call”, “Away”, “Busy”, etc., and keep on buzzing. Always show regard for status messages. They are there for some good reason.

Never setting your own status message

This is another mistake. You must set a proper status message according to the situation. This will send signal to others on your buddy list about your availability or unavailability.

Using Slangs

While talking to your client or service provider, do not use terms like “Wanna”, “Gottta”, “brk”, “gt8″, etc. These slangs and informal spellings are good for personal communications, but here we mean business. Hence, keep these and similar terms out of the equation. Always use proper spelling!

No goodbye

Many a time we do not bid adieu. We just disappear. This is not a good thing. We need to start our conversation with proper hello and end it with a proper goodbye. This reflects professionalism

Tags: Aftereffect, Collaboration, Communication Applications, Communication Systems, Conversations, Desks, Embarrassment, Freelance Professionals, Freelancer, Globe, Instant Messaging, Logic, Participants, Red Light, Red Signal, Second Thought, Service Provider, Status Message, Status Messages, Thomas L Friedman