Tips for Communicators

The Web -- Writing or Conversation?

The Web is an entirely new communication medium.  Web “content” is often created with text, yet engaging content often sounds more like casual conversation.  When you’re planning Web content, remember that:

 The Queen’s English doesn’t always apply.  Sentences can begin with conjunctions and end with prepositions – just like speech.

• Content can come in bits and pieces.  Sentence fragments are often OK.
• Contractions and casualness rule.  "Yeah" sometimes works better than "yes."  And "it’s"  sometimes works better than "it is."
• Lists and bullet points can get the message across more effectively than conventional paragraphs.
• Trains of thought can start and end anywhere.  And then expanded with convenient hyperlinks.
•  It’s OK to turn discourse into dialogue.  Traditional text can be interspersed with reader (or viewer) reaction.  Or photos, animation and sound.
•  So when you’re preparing Web content, don’t just write text.  Talk instead – and you’ll create conversation that produces results.

Your Techno-Tools Checklist

Are you using the modern communication tools available to you?  Review this list. And resolve to begin using at least one tool that you’re not using now.

• - Blogs
• - Collaborative calendars
• - Collaborative and user-driven reference materials
• - Feeds
• - Networking groups
• - Photo sharing
• - Podcasts
• - Social networking
• - Tagging
• - Targeted text
• - Video sharing
• - Widgets
• - Wikis

The world of technology changes almost daily.  Use the accessible (and often inexpensive) resources today’s technology brings you to get your message across.  And stay tuned for new and exciting tools to come.

Keep Your E-Mail Moving Efficiently

These days, e-mail can quickly become avalanche mail.  It can bury you - unless you manage it aggressively.  Here's how:

• Set your filters at high levels to prevent unwanted mail from getting through.
• Immediately enter the address of any offending mail in your "junk" utility.
• Answer new messages as you receive them. 
• Keep your e-mail inquiries - and your answers - brief.
• When action is need, quickly forward the message to someone else if possible.
• Delete mail once you're done.  If you must save an e-mail, create an online folder and transfer the message there.
• Organize your inbox by date so that you can see at a glance any unanswered messages.
• Ask to be removed from "cc" lists unless it's essential that you see the information being sent.
• Use an autoresponder to provide routine information, or redirect messages to a colleague or subordinate.