Online Communication Etiquette

Do you react or do you respond? And do you even know the difference? You should, because reacting and responding are very different with very different outcomes. We all have moments where we feel overwhelmed by all the information bombarded at us and all the things that are happening in the world. As a result, our focus is often outward—like a frightened animal we look anxiously around us. In that mode, we often react. We’re in autopilot mode where we instantly react to what we see or hear around us. A good example of this is social media, where one message easily leads to an instant chain of sometimes quite extreme reactions. What we want, though, is to respond. The main difference is that a response is thoughtful, non-automatic. Instead of directly reacting based on our impulses, we pause a moment, reflect on the situation, think about how we want to respond, and then respond. This doesn’t have to take long. It takes more than the typical 10 seconds of the parental “count to ten” advice. But it’s also not even a few minutes. 90 seconds seems a good middle ground. Not too short to still remain in reaction mode, and not too long for a response to come. The best way to spend these 90 seconds is not simply counting. As illustrated in the visual, you’re spending them best if you: • Take a deep breath • Resist the urge to act impulsively • Name how you feel • Put your ego aside • Think through the consequences And then you can respond. This applies to every aspect of life and to every situation—except instant crises of course. The 90-second advice is relevant in your private life as well as in business, in particular in any interactions with other people. Like any change, changing from someone who mostly reacts to someone who mostly responds takes time and effort. So, be patient with yourself. === Like this post? Follow me and join my newsletter here on LinkedIn and join The Strategy Circle. #mindsetchange #selfdevelopment #patience

"Sorry for messaging." I see this phrase multiple times per day from Filipino team members. They are not apologizing for a mistake. They are apologizing for what they thought was a hassle they are bringing in. This is not about confidence. This is about culture. Filipino workplace communication emphasizes smooth relationships and deference to authority. The concept of "utang na loob" (debt of gratitude) runs deep. When someone helps you or employs you, maintaining that relationship through politeness becomes paramount. Foreign managers often misread this. They see frequent apologies and assume the person lacks confidence or feels anxious about their performance. That is not what is happening. Some examples I see constantly: "Sorry for the inconvenience" when asking a legitimate clarifying question. "Apologies for the delay" when the response came 2 hours later, not 2 days. Multiple apologies in a single message for what amounts to normal work communication. The challenge is this. Remote work requires directness. When someone hits a blocker, I need them to state it clearly and immediately. Not apologize three times before getting to the actual issue. This is what I think works: Model the behavior you want. When someone apologizes unnecessarily, respond with "No need to apologize. This is normal work communication." Reframe apologies into statements. If someone says "Sorry to bother you but I am blocked," teach them to say "I am blocked on X and need guidance on Y." Create explicit norms. Tell your team directly: "Asking questions is part of your job. You never need to apologize for doing your job." Acknowledge the cultural context. Explain that global business communication values directness and that this does not mean disrespect. The goal is not erasing cultural communication styles. The goal is helping your team understand that directness serves everyone better in remote work environments. Frequent apologies are not a performance issue. They are a cultural communication pattern that you can help reshape through clear expectations and consistent modeling.

Everyone told me that building a powerful image was all about being visible and outgoing, they lied. I tried it and here’s why it’s the biggest mistake you can make. Six months ago, I asked someone, “What’s the secret to building a strong personal brand?” They said, “Be seen. Be heard. Put yourself out there.” I took that advice and started showing up more, sharing more, and trying to be everywhere. yet then, I realized... being everywhere isn’t the answer. It’s the quickest way to lose your unique edge. Creating a mysterious aura isn’t about blending in—it’s about leaving people wanting more. Here’s what really works when it comes to image management: → Don’t reveal everything at once: Keep certain aspects of yourself, your expertise, or your next move under wraps. A little mystery builds curiosity. Example: Share a teaser about an upcoming project or a surprising fact about yourself—but don’t give away everything. Let your audience wonder. → Quality over quantity: Being strategic about what you share will make people value your presence even more. Example: Instead of posting constantly, focus on sharing content that creates impact and gets people talking. Let your expertise speak for itself. → Control your narrative: Don't just react to trends, set your own. Example: Become the trendsetter by crafting your own voice and perspective. Make your audience feel like they’re in the inner circle when they engage with you. → Maintain an air of exclusivity: Build a reputation for being selective about who you spend time with, both online and offline. Example: Your presence should be something people look forward to, not something they take for granted. Focus on this, and you’ll start to see how much more powerful your image can be. When was the last time you made people wonder more about you? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below! Follow me, Aarti Sharma, for more strategies on image management and brand building. #ImageManagement #PersonalBranding #Mystery #Strategy

I've been reflecting on one major trend from last year that I feel will be hard to ignore in 2025: Gen Z’s relationship with brands and social media. This generation doesn’t just consume content, they drive it. And they do so with a level of authenticity and transparency that demands our attention. For Gen Z, brand loyalty isn’t built on flashy ads or influencer endorsements alone. It’s about values. It’s about knowing what the brand stands for and aligning with causes they care about: be it sustainability, inclusivity, or social justice. Here’s how I’ve been thinking about this shift as an entrepreneur: For Gen Z, being true to themselves is really important. They want brands that embrace uniqueness and support personal expression. To connect with them, we need to be authentic and offer products and messages that let them express who they really are. Social Media is the New Word of Mouth: If you’re not engaging in the conversations Gen Z is having on social media, you’re missing out. They trust their peers and online communities more than traditional advertising, and their feedback is immediate and powerful. Experience Over Projection: For this generation, it’s not just about seeing an ad but engaging with a brand in a meaningful way. Whether through personalized experiences, interactive campaigns, or exclusive content, creating a connection is more valuable than ever. Gen Z is not just shaping the future of business but is redefining what it means to build loyalty and trust. Is your brand ready for this shift?

I've seen so many posts being shared recognising and celebrating International Day of Persons/ Disabled People. Which is amazing! But sadly the vast majority of the content being shared is inaccessible. A day reflecting on equality and equity, but yet we're creating barriers that Disabled people. It's ironic, on a day of inclusion so many of us are excluded So please, if you are posting make your content accessible! Here are some tips to get you started: Image Description: Content Checklist. Six sections with tips read: 1. Message Body. Write in plain English. Use short paragraphs. Avoid using acronyms and jargon. Left align text where possible. Do not use a font generator, they are inaccessible for screen readers. 2. Images. Add Alt Text. Remember to keep Alt Text short and factual. Add an Image Description. Image Description is more descriptive and includes things like colour, texture, backgrounds etc. Any Text on a graphic or image should have sufficient Colour Contrast. 3. Video. Always use Closed Captions. These should appear at the bottom of a video. Use accessible Sans Serif fonts like Arial, Calibri or Helvetica. Include an audio description to describe what's happening in the video. Always manually check captions. Automated captions aren't always reliable. 4. Emojis & Hashtags. Don't replace words with Emojis. Don't overuse Emojis. Do use Emojis at the end of a sentence. Do use a capital letter for each new word in a hashtag. #camelCase or #PascalCase. 5. Check Colour Contrast here: https://lnkd.in/ecQAWnR4 checker. www.contrastchecker.com. www. userway.org/contrast. https://lnkd.in/exj-tFeV. 6. Add Captions Using:Youtube Online. CapCut Online. Adobe Premier Pro App. MixCaptions App. AutoCap App. Automated Social Media Apps. #DisabilityInclusion #IDPWD #DiversityAndInclusion #Accessibility

Most people say: “I messaged them on LinkedIn, but they didn’t reply.” Before blaming the other person, ask yourself one thing: Did you try to build a connection — or did you just send a message? LinkedIn is not WhatsApp. Cold messages without context rarely work. Let’s fix this properly. 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭, understand this truth Not every LinkedIn profile is active. Some people: • Haven’t logged in for weeks • Don’t have notifications on • Open LinkedIn only once in a while So before messaging anyone, check if they’re active: • Did they post recently? • Are they liking or commenting on posts? • Is there any recent activity? If they’re inactive, your message won’t be seen — no matter how good it is. 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝, don’t start with a message Start with presence. If you want a real connection: • Like their posts consistently (not once) • Leave a genuine comment (not “Great post!”) • Engage with their ideas, not their title When someone sees your name multiple times, your message doesn’t feel cold anymore. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝, send ONE clear message No: • “Hey” • “Hi” • “How are you?” • Waiting for replies step by step Nobody has time for slow conversations. Say everything politely, clearly, and briefly in one message. A good message answers: • Who you are • Why you’re reaching out • What you’re hoping for That’s it. 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐡, respect silence No reply doesn’t mean rejection. It often just means: • Busy • Missed it • Not the right time Don’t spam. Don’t guilt. Move on professionally. The mindset shift You’re not “asking for favors”. You’re starting conversations. Strong connections are built: • Before you need help • Through consistency • Through respect for time If you master this, LinkedIn stops feeling frustrating — and starts feeling powerful. What’s one mistake you see people make while networking on LinkedIn? Let’s help each other do this better. #linkedln #connection #growth

The best social media pros aren’t just good at social. They understand positioning. Audience segmentation. Funnel stages. Paid media. Product drops. They know how creative and strategy work together to drive actual business outcomes — not just likes. Because when leadership’s asking for results, they’re not asking for engagement rate. They’re asking how social content moved people toward the sale. Social is one of the most powerful marketing tools we’ve got — but to really earn that seat at the table, you have to speak the language of marketing, not just content. So read the brand deck. Ask to sit in on the product meeting. Learn how to write a brief. Don’t just know what to post — understand why it matters.

Each post we share is a conversation inviting others to speak. Much like real-life conversations, if we want to be understood - we need to follow certain principles. Have you ever wondered why some conversations (posts) leave you feeling understood while others simply don't? The answer lies in how we communicate. The Cooperative Principle, developed by British philosopher Paul Grice, provides a framework for effective communication: 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙤𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙋𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙥��𝙚 → Goal: To communicate effectively so that the speaker is understood and the listener understands. → Basic Rule: Make your contributions appropriate to the context of the conversation. 𝙂𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙢𝙖𝙭𝙞𝙢𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙪𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙪𝙨: 1. Maxim of Quantity: Provide enough information for others to understand, but not too much to cause confusion. 2. Maxim of Quality: Speak truthfully. Avoid misleading information. 3. Maxim of Relevance: Keep your content relevant to the topic. 4. Maxim of Manner: Be clear. Avoid unnecessary complexity and be logical. If each post is a conversation, it must embody these maxims. 𝙇𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧 Much like in a real-life conversation, we need to provide space for others to "speak." This means making it easy and inviting for people to share their thoughts: → Ask Questions: End your posts with questions that encourage responses. → Invite Feedback: Encourage others to share their opinions and experiences. → Engage: Respond to comments and create a dialogue. Show that you value others' input. By treating each post as a meaningful exchange, we not only communicate more effectively but also build stronger connections with our audience. To be understood, speak truthfully and relevantly, be clear and concise and be open for an exchange. Which of these maxims do you find most challenging to apply in your content or real life conversations?

Do this to write an effective EMAIL In a world where we're constantly bombarded with emails every day, how do you ensure your email gets noticed in the sea of spam? The answer lies in "effective email writing." Whether you write an email for an interview, pitch a new idea, or connect with fellow teammates, how you write your email can make all the difference. Here are some Do's and Don'ts to level up your email communication: 📌 Email address Don't - Use personal information or a quirky email address. Do - Use a professional email address that includes your Name or business name. 📌 Purpose of your email Don't - Write an email without understanding the goal. This will confuse your readers. Do - Identify the outcome you want to achieve. 📌 Subject line Don't - Use generic language, mislead your recipient, or make it too long. Do – Craft a personalized subject line using correct grammar and action-oriented language. 📌 Email Opening Don't - Write unnecessary small talk or pleasantries. Do - Start your email with a friendly greeting and clearly state the purpose of your email. 📌 Craft your message Don't - Use language that the recipient may not understand. Do - Include relevant details with short sentences and paragraphs. 📌 Call to action Don't - End your email without telling them what to do next. Do - Provide a next step for the recipient, such as scheduling a call or meeting or sharing any additional information. 📌 Email sign-off Don't - Use inappropriate closing. Do - Use courteous closings like "Best regards" or "Thank you." ➡️ Additional points to remember while crafting an email: ▪️ Use formatting to improve readability. ▪️ Keep your language professional. ▪️ Proofread your email before sending it. ▪️ Avoid using all caps. ▪️ If you don't receive a response, consider following up with a polite tone. ➡️ Sample email Subject: Meeting Request - Project XYZ Update Hello [Name], I hope this email finds you well. I am requesting a meeting to discuss the progress of Project XYZ. Our team has made significant progress in the past few weeks, and I would like to share an update with you. Are you available to meet next week on Wednesday at 2 p.m.? If that time doesn't work, please let me know and suggest an alternative time. During the meeting, I would like to share the project's current status, discuss any roadblocks we may have encountered, and identify any additional resources we may need. Please let me know if that works for you, and if so, I will send over a calendar invite with the details. Thank you for your time and consideration, and I look forward to hearing back from you. Best regards, [Your Name] #interviewpreparation #interviewquestions #linkedinforcreators #emailetiquette

Two founders. Same niche. Same audience size. Very different results. One struggles to convert leads. The other closes conversations faster without pushing. The difference wasn’t ads. It wasn’t content volume. And it definitely wasn’t talent. It was how clearly their message was positioned. Here’s what I observed 👇 Founder A Explained everything Shared multiple offers Used smart but generic language Expected the audience to “connect the dots” Result: Good engagement. Slow decisions. Long sales cycles. Founder B One clear problem One sharp promise One repeated message Same language everywhere posts, bio, conversations Result: Shorter conversations. Faster trust. Higher conversions. The second founder didn’t say more. They said the same thing clearly, again and again. That’s the part most people underestimate. When your message is clear: people know when to reach out conversations start warmer objections reduce automatically selling feels lighter Not because you’re persuasive but because you’re understandable. Here’s the real lesson: Consistency without clarity creates noise. Clarity with consistency creates momentum. If growth feels slow despite effort, don’t change the strategy yet. First, simplify the message people hear when they find you. That alone can change outcomes. #FounderGrowth #BrandPositioning #MessagingStrategy #BusinessClarity #SalesPsychology #StrategicCommunication #ContentThatConverts #AakritiOnLinkedIn