Beta Moms Don't Text

Friday, February 15, 2008  by Lynn Wendyger
Category: Beta Mom, Technology

At least not yet.
The first time I got a text-enabled cell phone, I didn’t sign up for the unlimited  plan. I’m cheap, and was not ready to play.  This last time around, my husband signed our family up for unlimited use. I understand why my 15 year old daughter wanted it. For me, I see it as just one more communication channel I have to manage. Work phone, home phone, cell phone, work email, home email. And now text messages.  Someone, hand me the easy button.

Don’t get me wrong. I think there is value to texting, as there is to IM. But I think the real reason my husband signed me up for unlimited texting is that he thinks I’ll be more likely to respond in a timely manner. He’s the guy that leaves me duplicate messages on my cell phone and work phone to let me know that he  bought a new furnace filter because I got the wrong one.  He envisions me texting him back in the middle of meetings. In reality, I wouldn’t. I would end up with duplicate phone messages plus a text version.

I guess I’m just not there yet. I still prefer voice over text. And, for the most part, I think it’s rude to text during meetings unless it is related to the work at hand.

What role does texting play in your communications? Is it a small part of the mix, or has it become your predominant vehicle? Do you use texting primarily for social interaction, conducting business, or both? And if you have any tips for a beta mom on how to integrate text into her life, let me know.

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Comments

# Tom in Atlanta said on February 16, 2008 12:36 PM:

I'm not big on IM - for me, emailing is better.

Texting for me is supplemental.  If a conversation isn't necessary or having a phone conversation is inappropriate (as in a restarurant or bookstore) texting is a great alternative.  Sometimes a loud environment creates difficult phone conversations.  Texting is a convenient way to send a quick message to wherever a person may be. (They usually have their cell phone on them.)  So, for me, texting is simply an additional way to communicate but, not a replacement for voice conversations.

# Carrie M said on February 16, 2008 10:33 PM:

I must be a Beta 1/2 because I do a lot of texting but not nearly as fast as my children.Texting can get through when phone signals can't. After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, we couldn't get phone signals out because the cell towers in our area code were down but because texting doesn't use the same as cellphone calls, we were able to contact people via text. That's how we were able to find out how people were.

I use texting when I don't really need to talk to someone, I just need an answer or if I don't want to bother them in case they are in a meeting.

My children text all the time. They text more than they talk which saves on minutes, but they are able to be more secretive with texting.

As far as texting in meetings, movies, etc, I would rather someone text during it than to answer their phone and talk. Texting tends to be less disruptive.

As with anything, moderation is the key.

# Lynn Wendyger said on February 18, 2008 4:28 PM:

Guess I'm going to have to get more comfortable with texting. Maybe the key is training my family to leave only one message--not three in different places!  

Are there any particular messages that you would like Quixtar to send you via text rather than email etc.?

# Jeff Namnum said on February 19, 2008 5:12 PM:

Hey Lynn, cool blog, first time I see it.

Texting from corporate should be by subscription only.  I love texting and use it as much as possible and much more than im. On our team (and actually from my upline Emerald on down) we use text messaging a lot to communicate and found it to be tremendously effective (we're in NY if that matters) but only when we have explicit permission from people who are getting the communication.

I'm actually OK with texting in meetings as long as it's not a small meeting.

btw @Carrie, I work with alot of parents in my daytime gig. Study the manual of the cell phone or pay a competent technology coach and learn how to check the old texts.  Same for im or better yet check out imsafer.com. Free and will alert you only if alarming or questionable discussions happen thru im as oposed to spying on them.

# NormaConnolly said on February 21, 2008 1:48 PM:

Thank you i am not to comforformate with my cell phone  It took me 2 yrs to figure out how to use my PC   am i alone with this?

# Bridgett said on February 22, 2008 2:19 PM:

Carrie M said: I must be a Beta 1/2 because I do a lot of texting but not nearly as fast as my children.

.

I am shocked at how fast people can type on a phone key pad. It take me over a minute to compose and send, and then I get a response like in 15 seconds. Crazy. :)

___________________________________

Lynn said: Maybe the key is training my family to leave only one message--not three in different places!  

.

Yep, that's exactly right. Communicate to them what's your favorite form.

Also, texting is a SUPPLEMENTAL way of communicating. I don't think it'll ever replace phone calls, voicemails, or email--'cause you can only type short, quick messages.

But I'm finding more and more that short, quick messages is all I need and can be very effective. One way I've recently been using text, is texting:

1) reminders

and

2) words of encouragement

to my husband, to my upline, and to my downline.

__________________________________________________

Lynn said: Are there any particular messages that you would like Quixtar to send you via text rather than email etc.?

.

Nah. Not unless it's urgent information that needs to be addressed NOW.

# Dave Robison said on February 26, 2008 3:20 PM:

Hi Lynn,

Tom in Atlanta and your new blog inspired me to write about you today at my blog. http://www.ontheroadwithdave.com/2008/02/quixtars-betamom-and-day-in-life-of-new.html

Dave

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