Thread: Communicating in the 21st Century

I am interested in your (fellow L4P'rs) thoughts on communication. The question comes via my time on forums... As an enthusiast. Is it me or is it a fundamental agreement by most that most people on forums prefer to communicate via email. I ask this because I'm a people person and as as a sponsor here I have received many PM's with ?'s. My response is always the same here's my number feel free to call with any questions. most do not call and it dawned on me. While I and certainly other business use the Internet to reach out to people.. Many hide behind it. just like facebook you can have 1,000 friends but if you never actually speak to them or see them it means nothing.

I prefer to use the internet as a tool to open the door not close it. As someone who broadcasts live from there office and has international numbers for my clients around the world.. I don't mind the first contact via email, text, instant chat etc...but after the intro I prefer to speak to 99.9% of my clients on the phone or in person... I find certain things like tone of voice will be misread to potential clients and what could take many emails back and fourth can be done quicker, more effective on the phone.


A perfect example is every client or new potential client that inquires I ask if they have a iPhone if they do I do a FaceTime call (face to face) if not then Skype... The point is to use the technology we have to make personal relationships...the stuff my 3 & 5 year olds take for granted as imagine if you were a kid instead of calling your dad you face timed him everyday when you got home from school. My children don't call me they see me all the time.

It seems to me I'm a rarity ....but in the 21st century I say use the technology don't hide behind it... PM's are great...phone...FaceTime...Skype....oovoo.are much better.

Originally Posted by daytradesports

I prefer to use the internet as a tool to open the door not close it. As someone who broadcasts live from there office and has international numbers for my clients around the world.. I don't mind the first contact via email, text, instant chat etc...but after the intro I prefer to speak to 99.9% of my clients on the phone or in person... I find certain things like tone of voice will be misread to potential clients and what could take many emails back and fourth can be done quicker, more effective on the phone.

I think that you're right on in your analysis. I generally use the forum for entertainment and my love for cars and new found love for watches. At the same time, I have moved into business conversations with a few members which I like to do over the phone. Too many questions/answers that email would make it unproductive.

I think the main reason you're getting email is that they're keeping the conversation "entertainment" and not wanting to move into the "business" conversation which is why you're not getting the calls after you tell them to call you.

The ones that won't call aren't really serious. They are pumping you for information. That's what I've found out in my experiences.

What I've found is the "call me" offer weeds out the tire kickers. Same when I run ads in trade magazines with "write or call for a free brochure". Those people that actually get off their duff and write a short letter or make a call for a brochure are serious buyers and they have proven that by their initiative in contacting you.

I've had people contact me about technical questions and I'd rather discuss that on the phone since I can cover more details and have communication more interactive in real time.

I agree with OP. I always prefer to meet in person and have that genuine conversation. With that said, I am shy sometimes, and depending on the circumstance I might "hide" behind my computer as OP calls it. It really depends on the situation, but with business I believe talking in person has big advantages.

Many will claim computers are helping the world and uniting us all, but when you really think about it, this is not true. Think about how many texts per day are misread, making people mad for no reason. The examples go on and on.

BINGO BABY TO BOTH OF YOU... nice to know I'm not alone

Point proven today... Finally spoke to a member here on the phone after going back and fourth... With in 5 minutes we got to the point... Pleasure speaking to you... You know who you are.

all up to personalities involved - communication options allow people to do things how they want.

i hate talking on the phone - hate it. force me to do business on the phone w/ you, it's only b/c i really really really want your service. otherwise, i'll use a non-phone option.

technology gives me that choice.

in some ways, it's the age of the consumer - they have so much choice & competition for their business - they are more in control than not.

in other ways, it's the age of the small business owner - it's relatively easy to build a niche business - and you can pick & choose your customers (either explicit or implicit, such as requiring a phone call.)

it's the age of choice.

- chuck

Tone and voice inflections do not translate over the internet/email/text. You also cannot get a "gut" feeling or read on someone via electronic media. That said you must know the ones willing to call are the ones that are serious like mentioned before. Especially when you have an information service that involves monetary investment once you have it....$5 investment and very little time, I can do that via email, $500 investment and a lot of time, plus ongoing investment weekly? I would much rather talk to you in person and if they don't want to then they are not serious at all.

Edit: look at it like this, all of the people that pm'ed you could have called and then not done anything at all and wasted your time or you could have talked to a few that would actually do something!!!

It was great speaking with you earlier on the phone. I use email and such simply for convenience. I have a lot of crap going on, so it lets me bide my time until I can give something/a certain issue my attention. Hearing someone's voice is much better when speaking about what we discussed today. I think we nullified all the previous chatter in a matter of 5 minutes, and I feel that I have a much better understanding of your specific sports investment tactics than I ever did before we had our chat.

That said, chances are I wouldn't have called, simply because I have A-Z going on, and I generally forget everything from B-Y, lol. It doesn't mean I'm not serious - sometimes I just need a reminder (ask my wife! lol) or a kick in the ass. You took initiative and called me, and I'm now in the process of figuring out my investment amount with you.

Long and short -- the phone works. Any snot-nosed kid can click away at a mouse, but when it comes to discussing face-to-face or via telephone, they scatter.

Well said all.

J