DigitalCMH wrote:
Are you telling me that if you had a way to IM any of these professions, you wouldn't?  I'd LOVE it!

Gosh -- I wonder why they don't do it then? (Please don't tell me it's because doctors, etc. hate technology -- I know better).

Eric Tragedy wrote:
I don't even have an IM.

When I had IM  it always caused problems with my internet connection,
Then, I was always getting annoying spam messages, random people messaging me, etc.

another reason those using it look ... not serious

even if the intention is good

bang bang photo wrote:
IMing is NOT a "professional" means of communication.

It can be.  I work for the best-known software company on the planet and we use an IM platform for about 80% of our 'on-the-fly' communication. 

When I was in sales prior to this, about half of my largest clients used IM to contact me since they could IM an order in from any computer, PDA or cell phone if they were somewhere they couldn't talk openly.

I use it daily to talk with models I've worked with or want to work with.  It's not about the platform, it's how you use it to communicate.

bang bang photo wrote:
Gosh -- I wonder why they don't do it then? (Please don't tell me it's because doctors, etc. hate technology -- I know better).

Maybe for the same reason doctors don't set their own appointments.  How many times have you called your doctor's office and had the doctor answer the phone?

bang bang photo wrote:

Gosh -- I wonder why they don't do it then? (Please don't tell me it's because doctors, etc. hate technology -- I know better).

They don't do it because their jobs don't keep them seated at a desk working on a computer.  They don't have time to devote sitting on a computer and answer people's IMs.

Photographers and models are a bit different.  We are OFTEN at our computers.  And if we didn't want to be contacted via e-mail, we either would not make our SNs public OR launch the IM application.

I've been contacted via IM many times by models.  I have no problem with it.  They often get quicker responses and sometimes easier to share a quick dialog through IM vs e-mail which I do not check every 30 seconds.

As someone else said, it's not the medium we use for communication that matters.  It is HOW we communicate.

Hi, how are you this evening?

Hey baby, you lookin' fine.  How 'bout you and me hook up and kick it? holla back yo!

Eric Tragedy wrote:
I don't even have an IM.

When I had IM  it always caused problems with my internet connection,
Then, I was always getting annoying spam messages, random people messaging me, etc.

Catriona wrote:
I'm curious - how many models here have actually received legitimate, followed-through work offers through IM? I'm not talking about someone who e-mailed you first, but someone who initially contacted you through IM and ended up having a real-life photoshoot with you.

I'm suspecting there won't be a lot of people who answer in the affirmative... Considering that it seems like every other day models are on here complaining that some random creep tried to scam them/harass them/get them to do "webcam auditions" (i.e. free porn shows) over IM, I'm frankly amazed that anyone still lists their IM contact info on their profile.

NONE right here.

I had someone e-mail saying they work for a modeling agency, writing my e-mail.
and no one has that e-mail, I asked him how he got it. He said he forgot.
I just ignored him.   I got his e-mail and check to see if he was on myspace, and he was he looked like a sicko big time. 

I have had many times  asking me to "webcam audition" LOL

I just took my AOL and Yahoo name off MM and they soon stopped!

Glen Berry wrote:
It's possible to use an instant messenger program in a very professional manner, and it can have lots of real advantages: no long distance charges, easy file sharing, conferencing, voice communication, photo sharing, automatic logging of the conversation, etc...

I used to do some work for a small software company in Scotland (from my location in the USA), and we used Yahoo Instant Messenger all the time. It saved a huge amount of time, compared to emails. It also saved a lot of money, compared to a telephone. Being able to send photos and software back and forth, and do conferences was the icing on the cake.

However, the person described in the original post is NOT acting professionally. It's not a problem with instant messaging. It's a problem with the that person. Unfortunately, there are too many other out there like him.

Instant messaging is good. Unprofessional idiots are bad—no matter what means they use to communicate with you.

take care,
Glen

Wonderful, thank you.

Tara Jane wrote:
I took my im off my portfolio. I like to discuss business using business communication tools, the phone being my least favorite, as it's a pain to record and type everything said in a convo and I like to have a copy of what's discussed saved in case anything goes differently but mostly to help me remember what I am supposed to do, where, how I am to prepare, and what to bring/wear. If you tell me this over the phone or instant messenger, and expect me to remember, I'm probably gonna end up messing something or everything up. I hate when photographers force me to plan over aim or the phone, and will soon stop working with those that do. I've taken college courses on business communication, they do not cover instant messaging. I am not a fan of instant communication, and hate to try to use them for business.

oldguysrule wrote:
if you seriously have to ask the question, you should probably be banned from the internet by your mommy, daddy or guardian.

use yer fekkin noodle.

...sage words.

Anjel Britt wrote:
no way
its just not neccessary to go that route, its untrackable, un retainable and way too casual / immediate for an prof intro.
Ever.

Just for the technolgy view,  IMs create the same electronic trails that emails do and they are harder to spoof (fake) than emails.  IM is used by EVERY Fortune 500 company in some form to support their business mission.
IM can be saved, or even set to auto archive so you don't have to remember to save them. 

I currently have about 5 years worth on my desktop.

Don

00Philip00 wrote:
I don't use or have any messengers - would prevent me from getting my work done. Just my 2cents.

Tikal wrote:
I dont say it for my own sake, but someone just contacted me through msn, said some stuff about if I would like to do print or go to europe. here.

guy-hey r u ok 2 chat.?
Me-i guess
guy-great ..where r u.?may ia sk what area of modelling do you do.?
Me-sorry im spacing out cause im sleepy
Me-alt modeling
guy-wherer r u.?we need to chat...

Thats part of it..but am I living in like another world is it really normal to introduce themselves as a professional, have an e-mail address that doesnt show up anywhere on google, or use "u" and "2" instead of spelling the word. Not to mention said person "couldnt remember where they found my e-mail address" but knew I did modeling...Am I totally out of it? Do people do this?

IM is not a "professional" way to make initial contact with some one.  Send an e-mail with a link to examples of your work.  Write a professional e-mail with CORRECT GRAMMAR.

It is OK If you want to IM *AFTER* initial contact has been made to square away details later.

Robert_Vega wrote:
The way he was talking and writing was definately not professional.

but i dont think anything is wrong with contacting through a messenger.  i've contacted models through them, models have contacted me through them, etc. 

maybe it is the way you write and type on them that shows professionalism?

I agree with this.  I think any form of communication can be turned "professional."  The most important factors are of course to establish the validity and identity of the people in the IM conference, and that they have the same agenda or purpose for the chat.

There's nothing wrong with that, the buffer can be saved for legal purposes (along with IP addresses and such), and can be referred to for clarification.

Of course nothing beats a phone conversation or better.. going over things at lunch or dinner.

PPRO Analyst wrote:

Just for the technolgy view,  IMs create the same electronic trails that emails do and they are harder to spoof (fake) than emails.  IM is used by EVERY Fortune 500 company in some form to support their business mission.
IM can be saved, or even set to auto archive so you don't have to remember to save them. 

I currently have about 5 years worth on my desktop.

Don

yikes!
i have conversations i saved from IM with ex lover in CA but had to edit them later for spelling as the typing (on my side) was so illiterate - then re read to try to figure out where the misunderstandings came from
;-(
since i could have edited it to say other stuff - edited dates as well etc it seemed that's no record
Hmmm