Mobile vs email – the great debate

There’s nothing like an article on mobile phones to get people stirred up, as Megan Tough’s recent piece proved.

I am a real phonephobe. I only ever use my mobile to talk or text John-Paul, in fact it may as well be a walkie talkie. And it’s no mistake that both my mobile and landline numbers are absent from my business card.

Email, on the other hand, is my best friend.

Others are the opposite. Lissanne Oliver reckons you should “Bring back phone calls! Email sucks sometimes.”

She has a point. After all, it is almost always quicker than email. The spoken word is harder to misinterpret, too. We’ve all had those emails that leave us wondering “Is he being shirty with me?”

Still I don’t like the phone. I don’t enjoy having to respond there and then to unexpected calls. This dislike is even more acute now I have a baby; feeding her, cleaning her and getting her to sleep are particularly incompatible with “Ring! Ring! Pick me up please!”

And turning voicemail on and off is just a faff.

I think the phone best suits 9 to 5ers, who are at their desk and available to callers during the traditional working day. But does that describe most soloists? It doesn’t describe this one.

What I love about email is that you are in control of both when you read and respond to messages. I also find the soft copy paper trail useful, particularly now I have mumnesia.

But the sheer volume of messages can easily get on top of you unless you’re careful. It’s why I don’t understand people who use read receipts. Don’t they have enough going on in their inbox?

On rereading I sound like a hugely grumpy misanthrope. Funny that.

What are your thoughts on phone vs email? Let it all out and remember, if the phone doesn’t ring, it’s me.

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Until next time.

Love your work.

Sam Leader is a director of Flying Solo and its editor. She is the co-author of Flying Solo - How to go it alone in business.

38 comments | Add your own 1 2 3 4 5 | Next» View all»

I don't much mind whether it's phone or email (except the phone means I have to make a file note). But I don't answer my mobile phone. I call back when it's convenient and secure for me. I also don't email straightaway. But then, my clients know this, and once they get used to it, they're converts. Especially the ones that leave/email a message giving me time windows to ring them back. Denise Maffey CA from Kumeu NZ
In this communication age, I think we need to use the tools we have to best advantage, and I mean use, not let them be in control. I use both email and phone, we try to meet our customers needs, so what ever suits them best, is our preferred method of communication, after all they are why we are here. I do find the phone better if we need to discuss artwork or concepts, but the email is great for information and updates. We have a system in place to let our customers know where there job is up to, at critical stages. We have found that they appreciate it and have thanked us. We have even given them the option to get SMS text messages. But what ever we do, we must keep our customer happy (within reason). -Jack, www.PromoBasics.com.au Jack from PromoBasics, Lake Macquarie
As Jack said, phone calls are great for clearing up artwork specifications - until we introduced the visual artwork approval via the email which has proven to be even better. It seems the majority of people prefer visual images to decide where their decoration is going and it saves saying on the phone "line a piece of paper up with your underarm, no, the top of the paper and then measure down half". Goodbye phones! Onwards to electronic! I also agree with Sam, that it is good to have a soft paper trail; with many of our customers being forgetful, it is handy to send them back a copy of what they wrote. -Jess, www.zulugraphics.com.au Jess from Zulu Graphics - Best Screen Printer in Newcastle
My phone phobic reputation goes before me. I confess it creates tensions in my business life as I really do HATE AND LOATHE the phone with a passion. Online and email works for me, but I have learned it doesn't work for everyone so I have a few little tricks to get around my phobia. Catherine White - Civil Celebrant, Professional Emcee and Writer Catherine White from Sydney
Sam, As a mother, I hear where you are coming from. I prefer emails, and I will actually go one step further and set the delivery time, to go out at 9am in the morning, so it looks like I am leading a 9-5 worklife. Heather Smith from Brisbane
Hey Catherine, If you are serious about your phone phobia - there are support groups out there - I have a relative who goes to a phones anon group in Sydney - as it is a serious issue for her. Heather Smith from Brisbane

38 comments | Add your own 1 2 3 4 5 | Next» View all»

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