WhatsApp: how to improve your messages in the app – 10/14/2023 – Balance

Whether via WhatsApp, Telegram or even Instagram, instant messaging is today our main form of communication, both in our personal and professional lives.

According to a 2023 report by We Are Social and Meltwater, WhatsApp is the most used social network in Brazil. The research shows that 93.4% of Brazilian internet users aged 16 to 64 use the application, which is equivalent to 169 million people.

Felipe Telles, 38, is a company manager and triathlete. An influencer, he shares tips on his social networks for those who want to start triathlon and interesting facts about the sport. Telles says that his main means of communication is WhatsApp. “Ninety percent of the work is through the app, which is also for personal use, work, everything together.”

Therefore, he values ​​efficient and direct communication, avoiding inconveniences as much as possible.

According to Kátia Costa, behavioral consultant and specialist in social and corporate etiquette, communication through the app, whether on a personal or professional level, requires care to be clear and respectful.

“So, yes, there are some rules,” she says. Knowing how to position yourself professionally through messaging is as important as etiquette at in-person meetings and events, she says. It’s called “netiquette”, that is, internet etiquette.

Below, the expert gives tips for improving communication in messaging apps.

Master anxiety, but always respond

It is necessary to remember that this type of communication is asynchronous, that is, the receiver is not obliged to provide immediate feedback. Costa suggests being careful with the frequency of sending and, if it is urgent, making a call.

The reverse is also important, according to her. Even if you can’t respond right away, let the other person know and get back to them when possible. “Send something like ‘At the moment I can’t answer you, but I’ll get back to you as soon as possible’. Give the person a position, it’s a form of kindness and respect”, she says.

Be clear and objective

Applications like WhatsApp and Telegram can make the routine easier and faster. Just like in email, no one likes receiving a message without an introduction, with just a “Hi, how are you?”. Therefore, it is important to value objective and clear communication. Get straight to the point and avoid sending very long audios.

However, this does not mean that courtesy should be left aside. A message that begins and ends with a greeting such as “Hello, how are you?”, “Good morning” or “Thank you for your return” is always welcome, says the expert.

Ask before calling

Many people leave on their WhatsApp status that they prefer not to receive calls – some allow it if it is urgent. This etiquette must be respected, both personally and professionally.

“If you need to call and, of course, it’s not an emergency, ask the person for permission. Something like ‘Look, I need to talk about a more detailed subject. Can I call you?’, already works. The same goes for audios”, he explains Coast.

Avoid messages after hours

It’s increasingly difficult to disconnect when access to everything is in the palm of your hand. However, great care must be taken to ensure that work messages do not go beyond office hours.

If it’s something that needs to be resolved at the moment, the ideal is to make a phone call or video call. Otherwise, the matter can wait until the next day, says the expert.

Also remember the business hours of stores and services. These contacts often use the “business” mode of messaging apps, such as WhatsApp Business, which indicates their opening hours.

Pay attention to Portuguese

It is common to use more informal language, with abbreviations and emojis, when talking to family and friends. In professional life, on the other hand, messages must follow the standard language, according to the consultant.

“Here it is important to say that clear, objective Portuguese is not elaborate Portuguese. Another very important point is to review the message: our broker plays several tricks on us with words that we don’t want”, says Costa.

Influencer Telles reports that he has felt uncomfortable with messages that are very informal or that force intimacy. “Sometimes someone I don’t even know sends me a message saying ‘Hi love’ or ‘Hi, darling'”, he says.

Finally, do not write in capital letters (caps lock), as this, in most cases, amounts to shouting.

Identify yourself

Another common mistake is not having your name on your profile or just a nickname. The receiver needs to easily identify who the message came from.

“Suddenly a person you’ve never seen in your life is asking you for personal details or sending a commercial proposal without introducing themselves. For me, this becomes an invasion of privacy at times. I really value identification”, reports the athlete and influencer. “And the first message being just an audio I think is the worst thing.”

The best scenario is to start messaging by text, says the consultant, especially if it is the first contact.

Beware of groups

Widely used to connect people to common topics, groups, if used poorly, can be a source of discussion and stress.

The expert suggests following some rules of coexistence, such as not discussing topics such as religion and politics in corporate messages and, if the topic only concerns two participants, taking the conversation to a private channel.

In Costa’s view, messages, videos and audios that distort the group’s purpose should be avoided as much as possible. “The group must have a very clear purpose, always in the descriptions. Furthermore, it must be easy to identify in the name.”