Digital etiquette rules

Digital etiquette rules

Dec 04, 2020

Why is digital etiquette needed?

Etiquette is needed so that interaction with people does not turn into a nightmare. We learn how to behave at the table so as not to shock others with eating habits. We learn to maintain a conversation so as not to be left alone and with the glory of a boor. Or "the man who interrupts everyone."

Digital etiquette - that is, the rules of communication on the Internet - is needed exactly for this. To prevent your online communication from becoming a source of conflict and misunderstanding, it is best to stick to the rules of digital behavior.

The world is changing. Rules too

The only difficulty is that the rules of digital etiquette are formed here and now. It means that:

●     not everyone agrees with them. The rules of digital etiquette are like the average temperature in a hospital: they show a general trend rather than predict the reaction of a particular person

●     the approach to rules may differ from generation to generation . For example, people 25 and older are very wary of voice messages. But schoolchildren actively exchange them.

Important! The less familiar you are with a person, the more accurate digital etiquette should be. A close friend will also forgive you for a message where there are more emoticons than words, but a colleague or a person with whom you spoke a couple of times and even online is unlikely.

We offer you a list of rules. These are the principles that we adhere to at EdMarket, and thanks to which, we hope, we remain pleasant conversationalists on the web. For colleagues, for acquaintances and barely acquaintances. For students and alumni of online courses.

We hope you find these rules helpful too.

Online communication rules

Posts

1) One thought - one message

Do not send every 1-2 words in a separate message. Make sure that you have written everything that you wanted to communicate, and only then click "Send".

2) Be correct

You never know in what mood a person will read your message. Therefore:

●     say hello at the beginning of the message if you are chatting for the first time today

●     do not forget to add to the request "please"

●     in order to discuss a difficult situation, it is better to call. It is easier than discussing with increasing intensity in correspondence why, for example, your team missed deadlines or an employee was late for a webinar

●     if you criticize, suggest. That is, not "why did you do so badly?", But "it seems to me that if you do this, it will be even better."

Remember, there is a living person on the other end. Take care of him and your feelings.

3) Don't write in caps

And don't put too many exclamation marks. Both reads like a cry. And it makes you want to stop talking to you - even in writing, even orally. You are unlikely to achieve exactly this?

4) Voice messages - only by agreement

You can send a voice message to the interlocutor only if you have agreed with him that this communication format suits both of you. And further:

●     record voice messages when it is more convenient and faster to convey the meaning. For example, when you come up with a new idea and need to explain it. If the main meaning of the message fits into 1-2 sentences - better text.

●     before recording a voice message, formulate it. No one needs to listen to a 3-minute video where you hum for 2.5 minutes and try to figure out what you want to communicate.

●     it is better to accompany the voice message with text. For example, "Here I am talking about a new concept for our online conference."

5) Commas aren't just for nerds

Spelling and punctuation were invented to make it easier for people to understand each other. Even if you are typing on the run, try to write without mistakes. You are welcome:)

And be sure to check the text if you have T9 enabled. It can distort the message in a very intricate way.

6) dose emoji

Try to use emoji as a seasoning: they can be used to emphasize a shade of meaning, but they should not be the main content of the message. It means that:

●     do not put more than 1 emoji for 2-3 sentences

●     do not put emoji in the middle of a sentence - only at the end

●     do not replace emoji words.

7) Links without explanations - bad manners

If you share with your interlocutor a link to a text, audio or video file, write what you sent and why the person should watch it. Otherwise, a person may think that it is spam, a virus or an advertisement and will not open it.

8) Number questions and suggestions if there are several

If you have two questions and want an answer to each, please number them. If you have 5 requests or suggestions, do the same.

9) Write meaningful messages

There is no need, for example, to write “Hello” to the interlocutor and wait for him to react. Or "Are you there?" Or "May I ask you a question?" Don't waste your and other people's time and get straight to the point.

10) Reply to the message on the channel where you received it

You do not need, for example, having received a request in an e-mail, to respond to it in the messenger.

An exception is if you want to enter into a conversation by voice over the phone or video.

11) do not get carried away by long correspondence

If you understand that the discussion is dragging on, and you still have not found a common language, schedule a call. It is easier to agree with a voice.

Communication in group chats

All rules for private messages work in group chats as well. And a few more are added to them:

12) If you are addressing a specific person in a group chat, tag him

Don't force a person to read all 300+ posts to find your important question.

13) If you want to continue the discussion, reply to a specific message

Don't just drop a line into the chat.

14) figure out the relationship in private

If you have complaints about a specific chat participant or a personal question, it is better to write them in a personal note, and not put them in a public field.

15) don't spam

When communicating in a group chat, write this:

●     as for the whole group . For example, if you are going through online training and want to inform you that you do not fit into the deadline for the next task, write about this to the curator or organizer of the message in a personal message, and not in a group chat

●     what is useful for all participants to know

If you want to share something personal, write what kind of reaction you expect . For example, if you want to complain that you are tired, sad and 2020 turned out not to be what you expected, write honestly: “Guys, we really need moral support. Tell us how you deal with fatigue and sadness because I am not doing something. "

●     do not send advertisements to the group chat . Even if you really want to :) An exception may be a chat created for the exchange of advertising messages and promotions (there are some).

Calls

16) Do not call without prior arrangement

Neither messengers, nor skype, nor zoom. First, write a message and invite your interlocutor to call.

Good form is to indicate how long the conversation will take and what issues you want to discuss.

Don't be surprised if a stranger is not ready to meet on Zoom or call on the phone if you haven't written what questions you have. 

17) If you are recording an audio or video call, notify us in advance.

18) During video calls and meetings in Zoom or Skype, turn off the microphone when you are not going to speak

So extraneous noises will not disturb the interlocutors.

And remember that you have the camera turned on and you should not, for example, change clothes on the air.

Feedback

19) Reply to a message during business hours in the mail within 24 hours, in the messenger - within 2+ hours (it is advisable to respond within a business day)

You do not have to be in touch 24/7 (unless you have agreed on this in advance). But it is not ethical to ignore messages where there is a request for a response or feedback.

If you feel that it will take you more time to answer than you have now, give it a warning. For example, in the format: “I'm very busy right now. I'll be back with a detailed answer tomorrow. "

20) Answer in full

If you were asked a question, try to answer not “no”, but, for example, explain the reasons for the refusal. And suggest an alternative.

21) If you receive more than one question, answer each

Don't ignore the one you don't want to reply to - it lengthens the communication. And yes, “I don’t want to discuss this” is, in some cases, an understandable and acceptable answer.

22) don't ignore content sent to you

If a friend sent you a video or a link to a file, do not leave the message unanswered. It is better to answer the attendants: “Thank you! I will definitely look, ”than not to answer at all.

23) If you want to share a quote from a conversation with another person (or post it in a chat), first ask permission.

24) If possible, do not write to colleagues in work chats outside of working hours

And if you write, do not expect to be answered immediately and help you resolve the issue outside of working hours.

By the way, in many instant messengers there is the possibility of a delayed message: you can schedule a message to be sent at the beginning of the working day, so as not to disturb your colleague during rest.

25) Lost your temper - log out :)

Don't write your answer on emotion. Better to take a break to collect your thoughts and respond to the point and without pretensions.

It seems that so many rules should make us cautious and overly formal in digital communications. But in reality, rules help you meet people, discuss important topics, and make your online community comfortable and productive.

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