Why does the phrase “I’ll ping you” matter?
Back in the day, clients said that they would call or that they would email them but times have changed and the terminology becoming more common is, “I’ll ping you.” Why is that pertinent? Because instead of saying, “I’ll communicate with you through my one preferred method out of a thousand options of channels,” it’s simply “I’ll ping you.”
With the number of options available for communication, people are making choices other than the phone or email for their preferred method of communication. For example, I do a great deal of business over Twitter and Facebook while others prefer Skype or even Google Wave so “ping me” or “I’ll ping you” is quickly becoming part of the professional lexicon.
With the move toward multiple options, while you don’t have to be in all thousand places at once, it is helpful to your clients if you are able to communicate with them on their chosen platform so having a presence in the most common arenas is not hip and trendy, it’s becoming part of daily business practices.
A sample of ways to show that you’re pingable:
TringMe is a brand new facebook application that allows users to make calls from their computer and gives you an embeddable widget so your Facebook friends can call or text message (SMS) you.
Skype offers a similar application called SkypeMe for facebook and you can get Skype on your cell phone (some even have it built in now). This is a money saver and allows video, audio or type messaging between you and your client.
TokBox allows video chat with up to 20 people simultaneously and allows you to send free video messages via various social networks. This tool is frequently used to send creative birthday messages to Facebook contacts.
Trottr is a new method of sending a voice message to anyone as an email attachment or in your social network and you can even add images and text. This is a great way to insure your tone isn’t lost via email.
Most social networks can be embedded into your website or blog, showing your clients which ways you are already available for example, using a Twitter widget for your sidebar.
With the thousands of options for tools, tricks and communication methods, let’s talk in the comments about your favorite ways to show clients that you are available when they say “I’ll ping you.”
Terry@Charlotte NC
October 23, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Lani,
I’m way more connected that 98% of my Realtor friends–I’ll have to get a lot of Ping requests before I’ll ad this feature.
Meanwhile, I’m looking for a Click To Call plugin or widget for my WP blog, thoughts? The kidn where they cn place a call directly to me, or my line calls them..not exactly sure how it works, but want one.. so I can chat with my clients when on my site