And you can hear your smile in your voice. You know how to make students feel at ease when talking to them on the phone, Russ!
My preferred method of communication is in person. There is so much more to gain in delivery of information and on the interpretation of the information received when communicating in person.
I can always improve on my phone communication skills.
I have been a College Director / Owner for over 22 years now. I still do admissions rather filling the position because it is the favorite part of my job. Email is my go to method over phone calls. Probably because of convenience, comfort zone, and the timeless ability to perfect my message for a better first impression. Of course face to face is the best and most rewarding communication method. I am empathetic and that comes through in person more so than any other form of communication. I think clients enroll if they like the admissions person and can find a real connection.
I believe the hardest part of the communication process is to make contact with client so that you can make that unique personable connection. Making a connection improves your chances to meet face to face. Booking appointments is the area I want to improve the most.
Russell, So true! It's great you are aware of your areas of opportunity and are striving to strengthen them. Do you think if you can build rapport with someone on the phone like you do in person, you will receive the same immediate feedback from them?
Elizabeth Wheeler
Kelly, Thank you for posting. Knowing that is your most preferred way of communicating, how can you adjust to match a students' preferred method which might over the phone/by email?
Elizabeth Wheeler
My preferred method of communication is face to face. I prefer this method of communication because it allows me to express myself with body language and it allows me to also visualize the body language response from the person I'm having a conversation with.
I need to work on my phone communication method. I find it challenging not able to see the responses on the other end of the line and it makes me feel not confident. My job requires much phone communication and I accomplish this by speaking in a rehearsed script method.
Regarding phone communication, your best point is to talk with a smile, as you noted, the smile wins!
My prefferred method of communication is face to face because you can get to know a person and get immediate feedback. As mentioned in the tutorial you can also read body language which is very important. I would say the phone is my weakest but I practice and have a certain number of items written down to cover key points.
My preferred method of communication is the Face-to-Face method, as an Admissions Representative, I like to interact with my potential students in person, because that way I can get the immediate response and feedback from them if there's anything that needs to be addressed, answered or even resolved. By using the Telephone or Written method, I sometimes wonder if the recipient have time to read through everything or just leave it as is, or if I have catch them at a bad time to talk on the phone, which may or may not get my messages across in the most effective way. However, I find it useful to recap my Face-to-face interview in written format in emails, so myself and my client can always refer back and forth to move forward with things instead of forgetting what we have talked about or accomplished during our meeting.
Tavia,
Definitely! What are some other communication methods you just learned about that you can incorporate?
Elizabeth Wheeler
The preferred method of communication I like to use is verbal. I think sitting in front of someone and watching how they are responding to what your saying is the most effective way of communication. If there are any questions or misunderstandings it can be addressed right there at that time.
Juan, That's a great step. Can you give me an example?
Elizabeth Wheeler
I will be writing more about what I say and then see how it comes through in my writing.
Juan, Great awareness! It's important to remember that even though you prefer face-to-face communication, your students may not. So what can you do to help build your skills in writing emails?
Elizabeth Wheeler
I really prefer the face to face communication, it really just comes natural to me. I think that the method of communication I need help in would be the writing and email. I find myself not being able to express myself the same way I can face to face or even over the phone.
Breanne, Interesting! It's important to remember to customize for each person. Do you always call, even if the student requests another method of contact?
Elizabeth Wheeler
My preferred method of communication is using the telephone; I feel that by them hearing the friendly and attentive tone in my voice it makes them feel more comfortable to come in and see me face to face. My email skills could be worked on; I just feel that hearing a voice is a lot better than seeing words on a screen.
Rocco, Interesting! What is making it odd to ask follow up questions to you clients on the phone rather than in person?
Dr. Jean Norris
i am stronger with face to face than on the phone. my writing skills are equal to face to face since my degree is in writing. I am finding it odd to ask follow up questions to my clients on the phone as I would do in person.
What is your preferred method of communication and why? Is there a method of communication that you need to work on and if so, how are you doing this?
