I’ve got a bit of a gripe! When I start a new online conversation, I expect them to use the channel the conversation started on, not flip over to another medium of their choosing.
Picture the scenario, I’ve posted a job on Upwork or I’ve created a post on LinkedIn saying I need something. In my mind I want replies to come through to that channel. I can group all the replies together in one place and make up my mind, but oh no, some people need to move to a different mode of communication.
People will spend time jumping to my site, grabbing my email address (which is public) or hitting my up via my contact form. I don’t like it, can you kindly stop doing that.
I Get It You Want To Stand Out
I understand that you want to rise above the noise and be seen as a more responsive person. but it’s seriously doing you damage in my eyes.
There are no gatekeepers in my business, I’m a solopreneur, you don’t need to try that hard, you’ll be speaking to me when you reply on Upwork or on the socials. The same me that answers the emails or, God forbid the phone …
Don’t Get Me Started On Phone Calls
Dude, if you phone me out of the blue to talk about a job I posted on Upwork so you can circumvent the fees paid there, you are going straight on the naughty list.
I dislike the phone as a communication medium most of the time and I like to book calls into my diary so I’m well prepared for them.
Phone calls are synchronous and demand all of my time, don’t you think it’s a bit rude to demand my attention like that?
I much prefer asynchronous communication for my work, but when you intrude on my day and demand my attention via a phone call instead of replying where the conversation started you are probably not going to get anything from me.
If We Have A Connection Already, Disregard The Above
If we already have a connection these rules don’t apply to you, If I have already establish a relationship with a person, them I’m cool for them to email or communicate outside of the channel.
For example lots of my contacts will hit me up via email to discuss my blog posts after they are published or share on social , a great example is my recent LCA post.
I don’t mind this it’s just new connections I object to channel hopping.
Wrap Up – Stay On Target
If I start a conversation on channel X, it’s because I want to communicate on channel X it’s a simple as that, can we stay there please.
That’s my rant over, what are your thoughts on this type of channel hopping, do you think it’s a good thing or does it bug you too?
I’m lovely to work with really, I just like to get stuff off my chest 🙂
Photo by Jason Rosewell on Unsplash