The Do’s and Don’ts of Digital Body Language

In this blog post, we will explore the world of digital body language and discuss the do’s and don’ts of presenting ourselves digitally. Have you ever wondered how you come across to others online? Do they see the real you, or something different? By understanding how digital body language works, we can create better Digital Rapport® with others and improve our online communication skills!

What is digital body language?

Digital body language refers to the nonverbal cues that we use in our online communication. This can include things like our tone of voice, facial expressions, and even the way we format our text messages. Just like in face-to-face communication, these cues can affect how our message is interpreted by others.

For example, if you’re sending a co-worker an email about a project, using a lot of exclamation points might come across as overly enthusiastic (or even desperate). On the other hand, if you use very little punctuation, your message might seem flat or uninterested.

It’s important to be aware of the digital body language cues that we’re using, as they can make a big difference in how our messages are received. Let’s take a look at some of the most common digital body language cues and discuss how to use them effectively.

Digital Body Language

Tone of voice

Your tone of voice is one of the most important cues in digital communication. It can be very easy to misread someone’s tone in a text message or email, so it’s important to be aware of how your words might be interpreted.

For example, using a lot of capital letters can come across as shouting, while using all lowercase letters might make you seem uninterested. If you’re unsure about how your tone is coming across, try reading your message out loud to see if it sounds the way you intended.

Facial expressions

While we can’t see each other’s facial expressions when we’re communicating online, they can still play a role in digital body language. For example, if you’re talking to someone on the phone and you have a smile on your face, they’ll be able to hear it in your voice.

Similarly, if you’re sending a text message with a lot of emoji, it can help to convey your tone and make your message more friendly. Just be careful not to overdo it – too many emoji can come across as unprofessional or even childish.

Text formatting

The way you format your text can also affect the way your message is interpreted. For example, using all caps can be seen as SHOUTING, while using lots of exclamation points might make you seem overly excited.

On the other hand, using very little punctuation can make your message seem flat or uninterested. Pay attention to the way you format your text messages and emails to ensure that you’re conveying the right tone.

Digital body language tips

Now that we’ve gone over some of the most important digital body language cues, let’s discuss some tips for using them effectively.

Be aware of your tone

One of the most important things to remember when communicating online is to be aware of your tone. It can be very easy to misread someone’s tone in a text message or email, so it’s important to be conscious of how your words might be interpreted.

If you’re unsure about how your tone is coming across, try reading your message out loud to see if it sounds the way you intended. You can also ask a friend or family member to read your message and give you their opinion.

Use emoji sparingly

While emoji can be a great way to add tone to a text message or email, it’s important to use them sparingly. Too many emoji can come across as unprofessional or even childish.

If you’re going to use emoji in your digital communication, make sure that they’re appropriate for the situation and that you’re not using too many.

Pay attention to your text formatting

The way you format your text can also affect the way your message is interpreted. For example, using all caps can be seen as SHOUTING, while using lots of exclamation points might make you seem overly excited.

On the other hand, using very little punctuation can make your message seem flat or uninterested. Pay attention to the way you format your text messages and emails to ensure that you’re conveying the right tone.

Digital body language is an important aspect of communication, but it’s often overlooked. By being aware of the cues we’re sending, we can make sure that our messages are interpreted the way we intend.

A good book you can check out

Digital Body Language by Erica Dhawan. It’s a great book that covers the topic in-depth and has some really good tips on how to use digital body language effectively.

Conclusion

Digital body language is an important aspect of communication, but it’s often overlooked. By being aware of the cues we’re sending, we can make sure that our messages are interpreted the way we intend and build better rapport with others

Keep these tips in mind next time you’re communicating online, and you’ll be sure to make a good impression.

Do you have any other tips for using digital body language effectively? Share them in the comments below!

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