How to stay connected with high-tech and low-tech tools
Courtesy / Marshall Communications
Ann Leamon, left, and Nancy Marshall
As friends in high school who recently reconnected by bumping into each other at Hannaford, we know the joy of reconnecting with old friends and creating a new friendship.
As we thought about it, though, we started talking about how technology, specifically social media, helps people stay connected. There are so many ways to use technology to make new friends but keep the "old,” and it’s easy to depend on one method or another, ignoring alternatives that may be more attractive and familiar to these friends.
It’s important to understand where your contacts are coming from, so you can meet them, as the saying goes, where they are.
Ways of communicating vary by age group: younger people prefer text, TikTok, or Snap; older people like phone and email; and many seniors rely on — perish the thought — hand-written letters.
According to a report by Raconteur mentioned in Employer Flexible, 75% of baby boomers prefer to communicate in person (40%) or by email (35%), while 13% like talking on the telephone. For millennials (born between 1982 and 2004) email is preferred (33%), while in-person is a close second at 31% and 12% prefer online chat.
Not only does the method differ, but so does the platform. Professionals post their accomplishments on LinkedIn, while younger people tend to watch the social influencers on TikTok. Few people under 40 go on Facebook except to share photos with their parents. And their parents only go on Instagram to see what their kids are posting.
So when you’re trying to build or maintain a network, this divergence means you need to consider your audience, and establish a presence on a variety of platforms, whether on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn. It’s best to be comfortable with different methods, whether chat, text, email or phone.
And sometimes sending a hand-written letter in the mail is the most sincere way to express thanks to someone who has done something nice for you. Many of us had grandparents who expected a thank you note in the mail after a birthday or holiday gift, and a text or email message just didn’t cut it.
We believe that all of us, regardless of what generation we are part of, need to use both high-tech and low-tech methods of communication depending on who we are targeting. It’s not about what we ourselves prefer, it’s about being adaptive enough to communicate in the way that the message will be received.
If we are trying to get the attention of a Gen Z on a Friday night, sending a text is probably the best, but if we are thanking someone for a generous wedding gift or a fabulous dinner party, a hand-written note in the mail is most appropriate.
The pure range of options available to us offers us a chance to get out of our comfort zone and learn new things. There’s no reason to limit yourself to your tried-and-true communication methods just because you’re 16 or 60. Branch out! Create an Instagram account and see what’s out there.
Check LinkedIn — Ann responded to a long-silent business connection only to have a fascinating conversation. Pick up the phone and call someone you’ve been texting or Teams-ing. And, although this can be a stretch, making the effort to see someone in person creates a whole new level of connection. Nancy always says that in-person meetings are where the magic really happens, because there are “happy hormones” like serotonin and oxytocin that transmit between humans face to face.
Here in Maine, it’s not easy to zip down to Boston to check in, but if you stack enough appointments in the day and take mass transit, you’ll barely miss the office. (Don’t get Ann started on the joys of Concord Coach and Amtrak.)
Jolting your communication partners out of their own comfort zones can give a relationship new life. Frustrated by Teams-ing back and forth with an employee, Ann phoned him. Not only did they resolve the question at hand more efficiently, but they shared details of their lives that would never have entered a text conversation (thank you, barking dog.)
Another perennial delight for people is receiving a hand-written note. It’s never out of fashion to write a thank-you note for an informational interview, a dinner, or even a pleasant outing. As a matter of fact, it will make you stand out in the crowd.
Nancy’s thank-you note for her outing at Ann’s house emphasized her enjoyment of the day and allowed Ann to revisit that delightful encounter — and who doesn’t need a chance to do that! And what time does it take? With a stack of notes or postcards and the appropriate stamps always available, you can jot a quick thank-you in barely more time than it takes to write an email.
One last note of technological awareness, though, is critical. While younger people need to keep in mind the importance of using a variety of technologies, older people can’t settle back and assume the world will come to them.
Not only must they explore different technologies and platforms, but they must accept the assistance of hearing aids.
Many of us may have boogied to the great rock-n-roll bands of history — and damaged our hearing while doing so. Hearing loss can become noticeable as early as the 30s and begins for most people in their 60s. Hearing aids, whether over-the-counter or custom, are revolutionary, allowing their users to fully integrate into the fast-paced, information-heavy world around them. Holding your ground as a die-hard Luddite ends up isolating you, and research by Johns Hopkins has linked hearing loss to falls, walking problems, and dementia.
Being able to hear one another and being able to connect are critical elements in our efforts to keep and expand our network for personal happiness and professional success. Humans are born to connect, not to live in isolation. It’s vital to think of the other person when communicating in order to connect most effectively.
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