Instant Messaging (IM)

Instant Messaging is real-time, like a telephone conversation, but there can also be a text record of the exchange, like with email messages, so it can function like a quick conference call that allows employees to remain at their desks. Sometimes face-to-face meetings and more formal communication are what is needed but Instant Messaging can help in other ways.

Instant Messaging also proves its worth as an alternative to long-distance telephone service for small business owners who need to communicate with clients in real-time. Many IM platforms are free to use or try, and for paid services, there are no per-minute charges.

The Instant Messenger (IM) that I like to use most frequently would be the Apple iMessage because it comes with the phone and a lot of people that I know have the same brand of phone so the data that is being sent looks the same on everyone’s device and there are no weird interpretations of the happy face emoji.