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WHAT WE’RE WATCHING
YOU USED TO CALL ME ON MY WORK PHONE - You know when that hotline bling, that could only mean one thing: your client just texted you and is expecting a response, like, right now. While text messaging is not exactly a new form of communication, its use in professional settings remains a controversial topic, Law.com’s Patrick Smith reports. On one hand, if you’re a client, it’s often the fastest and most direct way to get a hold of your trusted advisor (and to send your trusted advisor a Mean Girls GIF). On the other hand, texts tend to be less formal and shorter, creating more potential for miscommunication. Plus, they pose unique cybersecurity and client confidentiality risks. Oh, and also, they’re kind of intrusive—especially when they blow up your phone during whatever it is that passes for “off hours” these days. Still, you don’t necessarily have to tell your clients to stop texting, you just have to set boundaries, said legal marketing consultant Deborah Farone: “Let them know about your access and response time, but also what should and shouldn’t be put into a text.”
