Communication Mediums: 5 Types (Plus Choosing the Right One)

Communication is a vital part of our everyday lives. We use it to share information and build relationships with others and to express ourselves. With so many different means of communication available to us today, understanding the role of medium in communication is essential. Medium is the channel by which we send and receive messages, and it can have a significant impact on how our message is interpreted and understood. In this blog post, we will explore what medium is in communication and how it can affect the way we communicate. We will look at the different types of medium available and their advantages and disadvantages. We will also discuss how to select the right medium for a given situation and why it is important to communicate through the right medium. Finally, we will look at the impact of digital mediums on communication and how they are changing the way we communicate.

A medium in communication is a system or channel through which a speaker or writer addresses their audience. It’s an outlet that a sender uses to express meaning to their audience, and it can include written, verbal or nonverbal elements.

Why is it important to consider the medium in communication?

It’s critical to select the appropriate medium to ensure that your message reaches the intended audience and that they comprehend its meaning and purpose. The recipient is more likely to read, hear, or see your statement and comprehend what you’re expressing when you use the appropriate medium. For instance, having a face-to-face, in-person conversation with someone may ensure that they understand your message and give them the opportunity to clarify it with questions. Comparatively, if you’re communicating with someone remotely or in a less urgent situation, sending an email might be preferable.

What is a medium in communication?

An audience is addressed by a speaker or writer through a system or channel known as a medium in communication. It’s a channel that a sender employs to communicate meaning to their audience and can contain written, verbal, or nonverbal components. A communication medium can either be virtual or physical. It may address a single person or a group of people, and it may contain more than one element or type of communication. Some means of communication may prioritize directness, while others may be more adaptable and permit listeners to infer their own meanings from the speaker’s message.

Types of communication mediums

The following are some popular forms of communication that should be used in the workplace:

Face-to-face communication

Face-to-face communication is one of the most popular forms of communication at work. Direct interaction between two or more people is required in this, typically through conversation. Additionally, it can refer to non-conversational in-person interactions, such as when a speaker addresses a group of businesspeople during a conference. A face-to-face, in-person communication medium typically employs both verbal and nonverbal cues to convey a message. Speakers deliver their message and emphasize it with their body language. As the speaker is delivering the message, the audience receives and processes it, and they may immediately respond with their own questions and thoughts.

The benefit of this style of communication is its immediacy. In a conversation, all parties can participate. This makes it possible to have an open discussion without having to wait for a response. Body language may be used more freely during face-to-face communication than during other types of communication. Speaking with someone in person rather than through a virtual channel like a video conference can make it easier to notice and decipher their nonverbal cues.

Virtual remote communication

Using technology to send a message to a person operating in another location is known as remote communication. There are various forms of distance communication, such as those that use written, verbal, and visual communication methods. For instance, email is a typical form of remote work communication. A quick and easy way to communicate with someone remotely is by sending them an email, whether they are a client or a colleague. Using a pager or intercom, holding a video conference over the phone or sending a text message are additional options for remote communication.

Remote communication is a great way to get in touch with people who work in locations other than your own. Although some people might substitute video conferencing for face-to-face meetings for more formal conversations that require remote communication, this form of communication is frequently less formal than in-person interactions. In place of an in-person interview, for instance, an employer could set up a videoconference with a job applicant.

Written communication

Written communication can still be crucial in the workplace, despite being less common as a result of technological advancements. Notes, letters, and memos are physically written during this type of communication. Depending on the situation, written communication can be either formal or informal. An informal form of communication might be leaving a coworker a handwritten note as a reminder. A handwritten card sent to a coworker in appreciation of their assistance could be considered an example of formal written correspondence. Written communication is less immediate than face-to-face communication, similar to virtual remote communication.

Social media communication

Instead of internally communicating with employees, social media is more frequently used in the workplace to promote messages to external consumers. Numerous businesses use social media to reach out to their target audience with advertisements and promotions. Social media can be a fantastic tool for businesses to draw in customers and can combine different forms of communication. For instance, while some platforms prioritize video communication, others support visual content like pictures. The majority of platforms enable user interaction through private or public chat messages, allowing for interaction between two or more participants

Social media may be used internally by some businesses or teams of workers. For instance, your office staff may use an instant messaging service to quickly communicate with one another. To reach out to potential business partners, some people may use professional social media platforms. Social media messaging can be a convenient way to communicate with an audience, despite the fact that it is typically less formal than other types of messaging.

Nonverbal communication

Nonverbal cues can assist you in communicating with your audience in addition to spoken and written language. You can use nonverbal cues like posture, tone, and gestures to better express yourself to your audience by being aware of how they affect your communication. Nonverbal cues are frequently given unconsciously when speaking to another person, but becoming more aware of them and how they convey your thoughts and feelings can improve your communication. For instance, maintaining proper posture while standing or sitting during a presentation or job interview can help you come across as confident.

Non-verbal cues can be challenging to convey through some media because they rely on physical body language. You may need to take into account the absence of nonverbal cues when speaking on the phone or sending written correspondence in order to make sure your audience fully comprehends your message. Be aware of your nonverbal cues when speaking to someone in person or face-to-face and use them to enhance the clarity of your communication or create the desired effect on your audience.

Tips for choosing a communication medium

When selecting the appropriate communication medium, keep the following in mind:

Urgency

Depending on the medium, take into account the audience’s propensity to receive and respond to your message, as well as the urgency of your message. For instance, if you’re trying to reach a team member after hours, a phone call may be more effective than an email in getting their attention. Written forms of communication have less immediacy than face-to-face conversations. While it’s more natural to respond right away in a conversation, audiences may not immediately respond to written forms of communication.

Formality

Some types of communication may be more formal than others. A handwritten letter is typically very formal, in contrast to emails, which are typically informal or semi-formal. Writing a letter takes more thought and effort than using other forms of communication, which may not be necessary. Comparatively, using your company’s social media platform to send a text or instant message is very casual. Some face-to-face meetings are more formal than others. While chatting with a coworker in the break room is casual, setting up a face-to-face meeting is usually more formal because it requires preparation.

Purpose

Choosing the appropriate communication medium can also be aided by understanding the purpose of your message. You might want to inform, express, influence, direct, or make a request when speaking to an audience. In other circumstances, you might query or anticipate feedback from your audience. You might select a different medium for communication depending on your intentions. For instance, to reach a large audience and give the audience members the chance to ask questions right away, you might decide to train a group of new employees in person.

Relationship

Your relationship with your audience may affect the most effective type of communication channel. You might use a different method to get in touch with a coworker than you would with your employer. You can communicate effectively with these audiences because they have different relationships with you by customizing your communication method to meet their needs and expectations. You might send a semi-formal email to your employer if you have a question, whereas you might use an informal chat message to get in touch with a peer.

Accessibility

Depending on the medium you choose, take into account how easily your target audience can access your message. While some audiences might find it easier to access your message remotely, others might prefer face-to-face interaction. Hosting in-person meetings may not be possible if you work for a company with many remote employees and clients. In contrast, if you work with a small, local team, it might be more efficient to hold an unplanned in-person meeting rather than scheduling a video conference or sending an email. You can increase the likelihood that your audience will hear your message by taking your audience’s accessibility needs into account.

Information type

Certain media make some types of information easier to express. For instance, using visual aids can help you communicate with your audience when you’re sharing data. If you’re discussing data patterns, you might pick a communication channel that allows you to include charts and graphs to make the data easier for your audience to understand. Having a written record of information you might need to refer to later can help you store that information. If you want to record a conversation, you might prefer to do so via email or a written memo.