style=”width: 106px; height: 213px” width=”111″ />Communication Is Key To On-Line Success – by Mark Call
Communicating online can be difficult. It's very easy to fall into type and send mode without taking a minute to proofread and ensure that your real message and intention is being correctly conveyed. There are some easy steps you can take before hitting that send button as; after all, you can't unsay what you say online.
Set your tone. Since online is a format in which we're all generally strangers and we can't see one another, tone is exceedingly difficult to communicate effectively here. Whether you're writing to an acquaintance in e-mail or posting a response to a controversial issue in a forum, determine what tone you're really trying to convey and be really careful when wording your post to keep that tone uniform throughout. Avoid sarcasm and innuendo as both are commonly lost or misunderstood in any cyberspace format.
Abide by the general guideline that if you wouldn't say it aloud in real life, don't type it online. Period. After all, even if you're writing under a pseudonym, an individual can truly still figure out who you are and it can come back around to you sooner or later. When writing, consider all the politicians and public figures that have been caught grumbling what they thought was an indelicate comment under their breath within microphone distance; it's essentially the same thing.
Proofread, reread and if you're angry or emotional, step away and return later to read your post once again before sending. The worst time to send an e-mail or a response to somebody you're disagreeing with online is when you're upset you'll without doubt type and send something you'll want to unsay later.
Prevent discriminatory content and cussing. There's nothing more off-putting than a poorly worded comment with misspelled curse words and terrible grammar that then as well insults whole groups of individuals in one swipe. It's far better to be civilized, concise, respectful and knowledgeable even if you're responding to somebody else who's being crude, ridiculous and scornful. Pick the high road.
Be personal and universal at the same time. This is doable and by this I mean that you are able to still be yourself without letting out personal information. If you include your own twist on a topic in your own voice, that will always make you more personable and approachable online.
If you're posting it online merely for the sake of producing a stir, quit. I truly wish that every other individual posting online would take this into consideration.
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Hope you enjoy!
Mark Call
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