No doubt, WhatsApp is a powerful and convenient tool for formal, informal, professional, personal, social, chatting, grouping, calling, texting, video calling, etc., in short, all types of online communication. It provides all the key features for clear and effective communication with some interesting multi-media, fun, and entertaining elements. Like everything else, there are a few etiquette rules one needs to follow to get the most out of WhatsApp communication in a respectful and peaceful way. WhatsApp etiquette is made to approach people and stay clear about purpose and message.
WhatsApp and profile usage: The way you set your WhatsApp profile gives lots of information about you and gives you ample opportunity to create a lasting impression. One can be judged by their WhatsApp profile settings and status. Your profile picture, tagline, and status display a summary about you. Though there are some default settings, it is always recommended to curate your own settings. Use some emoji’s with the appropriateness of your messages and write your own status line that conveys something about you. This creates an appropriate impression of you. One can use these settings to share highlights of the day, but before doing so, we recommend that you first go to the privacy section and allow access to your target audience and/or close friends and family. This way, you will be more appropriate and confident about sharing updates.
WhatsApp and professional usage: WhatsApp groups and chats for work should be restricted to work-related conversations. Keep your messages short and sweet. Do not use bold letters. Avoid jokes, politics, chain forwards.
WhatsApp has given you lots of flexibility and options. Freedom to communicate on any type of occasion, and we all know freedom without rules doesn’t work. And even WhatsApp groups, chats, and communities do not work unless they are regulated by etiquette. I hope the suggested norms of etiquette, with a pinch of common sense, would help you to maintain smooth relations and clear communication on WhatsApp.
The Author is Image consultant, lifestyle blogger and writer. Her site www.imagepanorama.in