Instant Messaging: Mimicking Face-to-face Conversations

Gone are the days of snail-mailed letters and telegram. Those were replaced by e-mails sent electronically. However, nowadays, even emails are no longer considered as fast as it was treated as a breakthrough before. Why? Because there is now a way to communicate as fast as real-time and as good as having a personal communication while you are miles apart.
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This revolutionary advancement is known as Instant Messaging (IM). Compared to email, you are able to exchange thoughts with fewer and simpler steps. Furthermore, you can see if the person you are trying to talk to is actually ‘online’. 

​So how is IM useful for your business? Obviously, it makes communicating with your customers real-time giving you opportunity to interact to customers fast and easy! Also, it is the best way to deal with crisis management.

These features are available on most IM programs that will help in growing your small business.

Instant messages. You can send and receive messages from each other. You can exchange thoughts real time as long as both of you are online.

Group chat. Have group discussions while you are away from your group members. Chat with friends and co-workers in one chat room.
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Images and videos - Send and view images and videos sent to one another. You can also use the video to see each other through your screens.

​Sounds and other files. Just like images and videos, you can also share sounds and files!

Talk. Aside from instant messaging, if you need to actually talk, you can call like how you do it on your mobile!

So for chatting purposes whether for work or simply catching up, you have instant messaging to run to. You can install these programs and apps on your mobile for easier access and they are also available for computers.

Get to know some of the instant messaging apps available globally.

​1. Messenger

Messenger is a product of Facebook and is also known as Facebook Messenger. It allows users to communicate with each other in real time. The app can be downloaded for free from your respective operating store. All the operating systems support this app. However, it has the same function but bears a different look depending on the operating system in use. Currently, it has over one hundred billion users. Aside from Messenger, check these Facebook features that will help you with your business marketing. 

2. WhatsApp Messenger
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WhatsApp is the second largest messaging app globally. It could also be downloaded for free! Being acquired by Facebook, it has grown as an IM app. This is further supported by its improved features and you guess what. It doesn’t have advertisement!

3. WeChat
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WeChat is a social chatting tool with additional features. Try to download it for free and by shaking your smartphone, you can find a new friend nearby. How awesome is that?

4. Line
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Line takes pride with it 200 million active users and still counting. It also offers free calls and messages. Additional features of this messaging app are line group, video and voice calls, line stickers and line timelines. It also has features that allow you to play games after you register.

​5. Viber

Also available to be downloaded for free is Viber. It is a social chatting app with some similarities to the other messaging apps. Viber users can make voice calls, send messages and share photos with their friends. 

6. Blackberry Messenger (BBM)
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If you think that BBM is for Blackberry user only, that was in the past. Today, BBM can be downloaded for free on Android, iPhone, and Blackberry.  BBM brings friends and family together. You can have fun with features like picture sharing, voice calls, and voice notes. BBM has unique features that protect the privacy of the users. For instance, users can take back their photos and messages after sending them. It has a timer that determines how long a photo or message can be viewed before it disappears.

​7. Telegram Messenger

​Telegram is one of the newest messaging apps. It has interesting features such as the bots. It also has seamless integration between various devices PCs and tablets included. The conversations are stored in the cloud and synced across all registered devices. It finds challenge though on failing crypto inscription but it is gaining some level of popularity because of the effort of its developers. Way to go for this app!

8. Kakaotalk
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Kakaotalk bears some similarity to WhatsApp messenger. The app automatically synchronizes the contact list on the phone. Besides the basic messaging function, the app supports fast and reliable video calls. It is popular in South Korea. 

9. IMO
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With its free video and voice calls alongside instant messaging IMO has come a long way. We are all looking forward for more features of this app in the near future!

10. Skype
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Skype is the top video calling app globally. It has its ins and outs as an IM. It has a professional appeal too. It offers instant messaging which is very efficient. It makes transferring files easy too. Best thing is it is user friendly especially for family video calls on PC.

11. Snapchat
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Surely you’ve encountered the Snapchat filters that have been going round all social media platforms. This is an app that has grown tremendously over the years. Teenagers surrounded this due to its amazing Snapchat facts. Instant messaging is the catch. It enables live video conversations. 

12 Instagram Direct
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The introduction of Instagram Direct drastically changed the way iG is used. Users now have an option to private message individual followers or groups text messages or optional photo/video messages taken directly through the app that automatically disappear after they're viewed (similar to Snapchat). You can also view who has opened, liked, or commented on your Instagram Direct message in real-time. A totally new way to use the app!

13. KIK
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KIK users have usernames, and a group chat can hold up to 50 people. You can share memes, images, and videos on this app too. The app has redefined instant messaging. You can download it for free both on your phone and PC.

These IM programs are your gears in running your business successfully. While most of these instant messaging apps are available to all for free with almost the same features, we have to consider some things. The app you will download should also be used by your contacts, and customers. Also, consider its functions and features and if it would match the purpose on why you are downloading it. Finally, the security it offers. You don’t want to ever compromise the safety of your personal information. 

​A social media coordinator is an idealist and innovator in terms of handling your social media account. Consider getting one to make managing easier.