In a time where we scan headlines and consume content at a faster rate than we actually analyze it, the ways in which information is communicated is more important now more than ever.

Digital life is now our actual life. According to a study by Adweek, we spend 8+ hours a day on a screen tracking, absorbing and communicating. Technology plays into much more than a computer or the internet, we have a screen in our hands or nearby for nearly 24 hours in the day checking media feeds, emails, sending text messages like they are chapter books, curating calendars, dating people, or grocery shopping—our language is technology.

Our very existence depends on how we communicate—with ourselves and with others and yet there hasn’t really been a best practices manual on how communication styles and needs are translated throughout different digital platforms. Think about some of the best orators, storytellers and communicators you know. Their delivery is timely, interesting, respectful, insightful, and most importantly, relatable.

Here are some things to keep in mind when translating verbal communication to digital, especially in a more formal setting where you aren’t necessarily communicating to someone you know well.

Spelling:

• Nothing makes people take you less seriously than typos.
• Spellcheck and grammar check everything, twice.
• Never spell someone’s name wrong, ever.

Tone:

• Be mindful of your tone–don’t come on too strong and don’t be too vague.
• Be direct and polite, always.

Spacing:

• Space text out instead of sending a huge paragraph. This allows you to communicate digitally much like you’d communicate verbally – with pauses between thoughts. This is:
  • easier to read/digest
  • makes more sense when you have many ideas and thoughts to share.

Politeness:

• Digital communication already leaves a lot up for interpretation so always be extra polite unless you’re actually trying to be a troll.
• Twitter fingers are not cute. Don’t use social media to troll people or act out on insecurities.

Emotions:

• If you feel yourself getting emotional about a subject, pick up the phone and call or meet in person. Emotions always get lost in translation.

Legality:

• Never communicate about legal matters over text.
• Always best practice to talk about numbers and figures in person.
• Emails and text can be used as legal evidence so never say anything you might regret later via digital.