One of my most valued tools that I use most for my business is Instant Messagging with clients.
My primary IM software is GTalk. But I’ve used multiple ones for clients, including the great Meebo combo IM servicce.
Here are 10 reasons why I love instant messaging for business ….
1. It saves time. Clients don’t have to be dedicated to a phone. They can chime in when they need me and vice versa.
2. It gives me a transcript to review. GTalk stores my chat transcripts for me and is easily searchable inside Gmail. This has been a tremendous help to me as I’ve forgotten details of a project when juggling multiple clients.
3. I can put up a ‘Gone Fishing’ sign when I need to focus. Although I can keep my chat client live all day, I can also tell people what I’m doing. One design friend of mine gives almost Twitter-like details in his status line.
4. I prefer typing to writing. I’m a fast typer. And, as an introvert, phone calls sometimes drain me.
5. I can juggling multiple tasks in a single bound. Like a Superman multi-tasker, I can continue my other projects while waiting for the orange alert tab to flash.
6. It makes connecting with people fast. I don’t have to wait for a scheduled phone call or time. I can simply invite them to chat with a mouse click and start chatting.
7. Now I can do group chats. Brainstorming just attracted a crowd now!
8. I don’t have to have any software installed. Gmail now has IM embedded in the sidebar, so if I’m on the road or at another computer, I can still do chat by logging into my email.
9. I can block and remove those who think my time is free. One of the only downfalls is some people will abuse your time through it. Although I don’t like to block or remove people, it can be done.
10. Clients feel they’re connected to you. Overcommunication, I’ve found, is a good thing when working with clients. With chat, and without them seeing me, they know I’m reachable.
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