Poll: Given the choice, I prefer to communicate with clients via:
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
SITE STAFF
Jun 2, 2018

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Given the choice, I prefer to communicate with clients via:".

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Ventnai
Ventnai  Identity Verified
Spain
Local time: 12:01
German to English
+ ...
Email Jun 2, 2018

Email gives you an easy record of conversations and agreements. I used instant messaging ten or more years ago but it meant PMs kept interrupting my workflow.

 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 11:01
Member (2007)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Email Jun 2, 2018

I communicate with my clients almost exclusively by email; I only have phone calls from them on very rare occasions: two this year so far, both to book me for an unexpected project on a holiday.

 
Muriel Vasconcellos
Muriel Vasconcellos  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 04:01
Member (2003)
Spanish to English
+ ...
Email Jun 2, 2018

ventnai wrote:

Email gives you an easy record of conversations and agreements. I used instant messaging ten or more years ago but it meant PMs kept interrupting my workflow.


Exactly. I want everything in writing. Because I'm hearing impaired, I insist on not making agreements on the phone or via Skype, which some PMs seem to want to use. Fortunately, my main clients all keep their emails short and to the point.


 
DZiW (X)
DZiW (X)
Ukraine
English to Russian
+ ...
in person or via phone Jun 2, 2018

When possible, I prefer to meet my direct clients personally or communicate via phone.

 
Debora d'Amato (X)
Debora d'Amato (X)  Identity Verified
Italy
Local time: 12:01
English to Italian
+ ...
Email or instant messaging? Jun 2, 2018

ventnai wrote:

Email gives you an easy record of conversations and agreements. I used instant messaging ten or more years ago but it meant PMs kept interrupting my workflow.


Exactly. I think instant messaging are certainly faster and a little bit more convenient but, as already said, they easily interrupt your workflow!


 
Amir Arzani
Amir Arzani
Iran
Local time: 14:31
English to Persian (Farsi)
+ ...
Instant Messaging Jun 2, 2018

I almost always use instant messaging (Telegram, Whatsapp, Skype, Discord) when working with my local employer who frequently sends me works, but for new clients I tend to communicate with Email or Text messages if they don't answer in a timely manner.

 
Mario Freitas
Mario Freitas  Identity Verified
Brazil
Local time: 08:01
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Email, like the other 90% Jun 2, 2018

Of course. There is no doubt e-mailing is the best choice, by far. It's impersonal, it's archivable (evidence), you do it whenever you want to, when all others require immediate reply, and interruption of your work. I could list a hundred reasons, but I don't think it's necessary, since 90% of my colleagues agree with me.

 
Kay Denney
Kay Denney  Identity Verified
France
Local time: 12:01
French to English
email Jun 4, 2018

I had to use instant messaging with PMs at the agency I worked at. A typical conversation would go like this-
-are you available?
-depends, what for?
-2000 words
-what subject?
-fashion
-which client?
-"ABC"
- when for?
-Wednesday
-what format?
-CAT tool
-with proofreading after final export?
-yes, the source file is in Word
-could I see the file first because last time I remember it wasn't actually a fashion tex
... See more
I had to use instant messaging with PMs at the agency I worked at. A typical conversation would go like this-
-are you available?
-depends, what for?
-2000 words
-what subject?
-fashion
-which client?
-"ABC"
- when for?
-Wednesday
-what format?
-CAT tool
-with proofreading after final export?
-yes, the source file is in Word
-could I see the file first because last time I remember it wasn't actually a fashion text from that client
-here it is
-OK I can take that.

The PM would then send me an email recapping literally every single detail of that conversation, along with the file. They had to do that, so why couldn't they do it straightaway. In the end, I wouldn't bother asking the questions and would just start with "send me the file and the details and I'll get back to you". Then since they didn't seem to get the hint, I just switched the instant messaging off.
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Poll: Given the choice, I prefer to communicate with clients via:






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