{"id":13386,"date":"2024-02-21T08:20:12","date_gmt":"2024-02-21T08:20:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/?p=13386"},"modified":"2024-02-21T08:20:12","modified_gmt":"2024-02-21T08:20:12","slug":"email-or-im","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/email-or-im\/","title":{"rendered":"Email vs Instant Messaging – 10 Reasons to Make IM Your Go-To"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Email and instant messaging (IM) have both been around for some time. Dating back to the 1970s, email has become one of the most recognizable channels of communication. By 2024, user numbers are expected to reach nearly <\/span>4.5 billion<\/span><\/a>, with a 3% annual growth rate.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While instant messaging technology predates email, the phenomenon didn\u2019t take root until the 1990s, as platforms like AIM, ICQ, Yahoo, and MSN Messenger gained mainstream popularity.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both technologies are widespread among individual users and in workplaces. In your personal life, you may prefer the real-time communication instant messaging<\/a> provides via a host of ever-popular chat applications. <\/span>But what about at the workplace?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When examining email vs instant messaging for business communication, consider the pros and cons of both. So let\u2019s settle the email vs instant messaging debate once and for all.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Email<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The key differences between email and instant messaging are in terms of speed and level of formality. Email is important in a business setting, providing a means to reach more people simultaneously through mass messaging. Today, almost everyone has an email, and it’s easy to send an email and check your inbox at any time, through multiple devices, such as your smartphone.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it’s not suitable for communications that require voice, video, or other <\/span>collaboration tools<\/span><\/a>. Email communication is also easily trackable, meaning that you can access, organize, and store important information and keep records of previous interactions, proving that email is here to stay. Unlike email, instant messaging is often more relaxed in tone.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instant Messaging<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Some people say that instant messaging is suitable only for informal messaging. However, it can be seamlessly integrated into the workplace.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Indeed, you often need an existing email account to access IM platforms. IM also remains proprietary, with users needing to use the same platform to take advantage of its many benefits.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are 10 reasons to make instant messaging your go-to in 2024. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Ensures communication<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The more ways team members have to communicate with each other, the better. <\/span>When relying on email only, colleagues can be hesitant to reach out for quick consultations or to share some recent news.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instant messaging<\/span> ensures communication by providing teams with several channels to stay in touch.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n