In today’s society, digital communication skills are essential.
Whether you’re messaging your family or participating in a meeting over Zoom, you must have a basic level of digital literacy in order to use the technology. You don’t have to be a tech wizard to get the most out of your digital tools – a few basic skills can make all the difference when trying to communicate with others.
In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about digital communication and how you can improve your skills.
Types of digital skills
Digital skills can be hard or soft, and it’s best to have a mixture of the two if you want to be able to communicate effectively.
Hard skills are the basic practical skills that help you to navigate social media, use software and get the most out of video conferencing platforms. Soft skills are less tangible, but you need to learn them if you want to communicate clearly and confidently. These skills include things such as adapting your language to suit an online discussion or learning how to pick up on body language or tone of voice over video calls.
Digital communication methods
When it comes to digital communication, there’s a whole range of different methods that you can use to connect with others.
Here are some of the basic methods that you should be able to use:
- Instant messaging apps, such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger
- Documents, such as Word, Google docs etc.
- File sharing platforms such as Dropbox and WeTransfer
- Project platforms such as Google Drive and One Drive
- Video conferencing tools such as Zoom, Google Meet and Skype
- Social media
- Online forums
Tips for improving your digital communication skills
Now that you know some of the most basic platforms that facilitate digital communication, it’s important to make that sure your skills are as good as they can be.
Here are some tips to help you communicate effectively when using digital platforms:
Ensure crystal-clear audio quality
A quiet microphone on a Zoom call can make it difficult for people to understand what you’re saying. You don’t want the audio to cut out while you’re in the middle of speaking. Make sure that you have a good signal, and test the sound quality before entering a meeting room.
Adjust your video quality
It’s also important for people to be able to see you while you’re talking. Not only will this make the experience more personable, but it will also make it easier for the person you’re talking with to pick up on your body language.
Don’t shy away from visual aids
Communicating through a phone or laptop is different to doing so in person, so try to adapt your approach as much as possible.
You can incorporate visual aids to enhance your communication skills, such as presentation slides that support what you’re saying. This keeps people engaged in what you’re saying – especially when you’re in a meeting or doing a class project – and helps to hold the audience’s attention over a longer period.
Prepare in advance
Successful digital communication can be tough, so there’s no problem with preparing in advance before you take your next Zoom call.
Make sure your work space is set up nicely, especially if it’s visible in the background, and check that your Wi-Fi connection is strong enough to handle your call.
You should also be aware of any background noises or visual elements that could potentially distract the people you’re talking to.
Finally, you should ensure that your laptop is charged, that your mobile phone is silenced and that your microphone and speakers are working properly.
Advanced digital communication skills that make you more employable
More and more companies are recruiting employees that have a range of digital communication skills.
Most firms have a preference for candidates with more than the basic digital communication skills – they want you to demonstrate that you have something different and stand out from other potential employees.
Here are some advanced digital communication skills that are currently in-demand and could make you more employable.
Search Engine Marketing (SEM)
Search engine marketing (SEM) is a fast-developing field – ultimately, it’s the art of getting your content to appear to your customers in search engine results.
Executing a good search engine marketing strategy can increase the visibility of your content and generate more web traffic.
Social Media
While it may seem like everyone has a social media profile, not everyone knows how to make an impact and generate sales and revenue by using daily posts.
Implementing social media strategies and targeting the right audience can lead to great success, and if you have the insights and experience to do this, companies may be more likely to employ you.
Content marketing
From blog posts and podcasts to videos and social media posts, digital content comes in many different forms.
If you know how to write compelling content, fill it with relevant keywords and engage your target audience, you can generate multiple possibilities for your company. This is a valuable skill to have no matter the industry that you’re working in.
Mobile marketing
Did you know that the majority of people consume most of their content through their phones?
Being able to transfer your content to a mobile format in order to make it more accessible and engaging is an extremely important skill.
Data Analytics
Digital content is not only about words and aesthetics, you also need to have a firm grip on the numbers in order to make substantial progress. Checking analytics, researching keywords and optimizing campaigns accordingly can make communication more effective, driving higher sales and revenue.
Analytical skills fit in well with SEM. By using a combination of these two skills you can work out which forms of communication are making an impact, and which areas you need to upgrade.
Good digital communications skills are essential to both our personal and professional lives – keep working to improve yours!
