Business Texting Etiquette: 10 Tips for Professionals

Smartphones have taken over as a primary business communication tool. But, can you imagine running your business without one?

However, with that amount of use and dependence comes situations and dilemmas that many aren’t sure how to address. Some are not so good for your business.

At the core of any etiquette discussion, you think about how your actions, or lack thereof, can impact others. What is unique about business texting is that it requires prudence and should only be used when necessary and apropos.

10 Texting Tips for Business

1. Never text business associates, partners, or clients without an invitation or first asking permission to do so.
2. Refrain from uninvited texting outside of business hours.
3. Do your very best to avoid acronyms and abbreviations.
4. Texts should be used sparingly, not as a replacement for more detailed email or phone conversations.
5. Only mass text when all parties have agreed to participate and know each other.
6. When in meetings with business associates (this includes lunch/dinner), refrain from texting to provide your full attention — and respect.
7. Do not relay bad news via a text message (“Sorry you didn’t get the contract.”).
8. Use texts to change schedules or meeting times/place/dates sparingly. Participants may not read the text in time.
9. When expecting a business text, do your best to respond promptly.
10. Refrain from being a digital stalker by calling, emailing, and texting about the same subject. Unless truly urgent, choose the one most apropos mode of communication.

Just because everyone is texting irresponsibly, does that make it tacitly okay for you to do the same? Are you a lemming or a leader?

Think Before Texting

We text because it is easier when more times than not, a phone call or email would have been more beneficial. Tap, tap, tap, and we get our message out. You have achieved your primary narcissistic goal.

This is not a professional approach to running a successful business, now is it? You know the answer to that question. Have you ever received texts you didn’t ask for, want, or feel were not necessary?

There is a time and place for business texting. However, keep in mind that texting should not be your primary modus-operandi.

Use discretion and your better judgment when sending texts for business purposes. You will find that contributes to you being perceived as a true professional.

A professional who exercises discretion (a rare trait nowadays) is a pleasure to do business with. And that, my friends, is money!