Uncategorized – Hosted IM World

Using IM When You Have a ‘Case of the Mondays’

kchildress — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:56:24 +0000

Do you have “those days”, where you feel out of it, forgetful, worn down, or just plain tired? Well, if you haven’t figured it out already, using an instant messenger is a great way to communicate during the times where you feel sluggish and not quite ‘up to speed’. Unlike face-to-face and telephone communication, instant messaging gives the feel of an instant conversation (unlike an email) without the fear of seeming uneducated or uninformed.

IM allows you to search for the correct answer you need at your desk or on your computer before having to immediately reply to the person you are talking to on IM — using a co-worker, supervisor, or client.

Besides being able to find the right answers, IM also allows you to “check your work” — by examining spelling and grammar before sending the message. This also is an easy way to make you seem more alert than you are really feeling.

This is one of the reasons why I love using instant messaging. I can cover up those days or times when I’m feeling a little sluggish, and turn it into a great, productive day. Why do you use IM? I’d be interested in hearing your comments.

Using IM When You Have a ‘Case of the Mondays’

kchildress — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:56:24 +0000

Using IM When You Have a ‘Case of the Mondays’

kchildress — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:56:24 +0000

Instant Messaging Tips and Tricks

kchildress — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 23:04:35 +0000

Because I use instant messaging almost everyday at work to communicate with my friends and co-workers, I definitely know the value of a good shortcut when it comes to making the most out of this valuable tool. The following are some great tips that I use in order to be the most efficient and effective IM user that I can be!

* Keep your chat logs to refer back to. Many hosted instant messaging programs, like Brosix, will do this automatically. This provides a great resource to look back to when you need to get a link or remember what a co-worker asked for the day before.
* Learn the keyboard shortcuts. I copy and paste a lot of links and information in my IM chat windows. Besides the shortcuts for copy and pasting, I’d recommend learning any other shortcuts that your IM program may have (new chat window, new buddy, etc.)
* Learn the chat lingo. I’m sure I’ll post about this in more detail sometime later, but learning what LOL (laugh out loud) and NP (no problem) mean will ensure that you keep abreast of the conversation that is happening between you and your chat buddies.
* Learn the chat smileys. These are fun when using instant messaging, but should always be used sparingly (as with lingo mentioned above).

I hope that these tips for using IM everyday can be a good resource!

Picking the Best Instant Messenger User Name

kchildress — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 20:12:27 +0000

One of the most important details when it comes to setting up an instant messaging account might be one of the most overlooked. However, it is your first impression in the IM world and it needs to be your best foot forward. Of course, I am talking about choosing the best user name.

For business IM accounts, it is crucial to use your full or first name, if it is available. In fact, many enterprise instant messaging clients often don’t allow you to choose a screen name and just use your full or first name, if it is available. However, for IM accounts that are being used on a free IM client, like AIM, it is important to chose a user name that is professional.

For example, names like “hotbabe09” or “loves2party” will certainly bring the wrong impression to perspective clients and supervisors. They may not take you seriously or what’s worse, they may think that you don’t take yourself seriously. My screen name is my first name is a few numbers behind it- kelsey7820. While this isn’t an ideal screen name (ideal would probably be kelseychildress or kelseyc), it is somewhat professional and I’m not afraid to use it with clients and co-workers.

Social Media and Hosted Instant Messaging

kchildress — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 03:20:00 +0000

For many, social media marketing, blogging, and instant messaging all go hand-in-hand. They are all part of what has been coined “Web 2.0”. Web 2.0, according to Wikipedia, is the ‘next generation’ of internet. This includes social networking sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, along with blogging (like this blog and http://hostedinstantmessaging.com) and video sharing sites like You Tube. Wikipedia also defines Web 2.0 as ‘hosted applications’ which is exactly what hosted instant messaging is.

Combing you and your organization’s online communication image and efforts with Web 2.0 media is easier than many people think. All it takes is time to set up profiles. There is usually no cost for social networking profiles and many hosted instant messaging programs cost very little.

The most important thing to remember about social networking profiles, blogs, and other online marketing and communication efforts is the fact that they must continue to be maintained. It isn’t enough that they are there; they must continue to be updated in order for potential customers and fans will continue to be reminded and kept up-to-date with their activities.

This is why I continue to update this blog and http://hostedinstantmessaging.com at least 3-4 times per week. I also maintain the twitter profile and the facebook page, mentioned above. These avenues of marketing are a great way to increase communication between you, your clients, and your employees.