Okay, so there are those of us who prefer mass-chatting on our favorite messaging platforms or text messaging rather than calling, but for a vast majority of adults, this doesn’t appear to be the norm.
According to a recent survey conducted for Vonage by ORC International, the phone call, the most classic of all features associated with phones, is still the preferred form of communication for the majority of adults. In fact, 56 percent of adults have said a phone call is their most preferred method, with text messaging making up a distant 25 percent.
Millennials call during special moments even though we text more at every other time
When an important event or special moment arises, the number of adults who prefer voice communication skyrockets to 71 percent, at least if there’s not an option to meet in person. It’s also surprising that 67 percent of Millennials (the name for my age group of 18-34 year-olds) call when it comes to special moments, even though we generally text far more than we call at any other times.
“There’s nothing like hearing a loved one’s voice when you can’t be together, and this research shows that the majority of people feel the same way,” said Barbara Goodstein, Chief Marketing Officer for Vonage. “When you have something important to share, you don’t want the significance of your news to fall flat with a text or an email. With a phone call, friends and family are able to hear the excitement in your voice and share in the emotion of the moment.”
Other key findings of the Vonage survey include:
- Men said they call their spouse or significant other the most (35%). Women, however, call their children the most (25%).
- 55 percent of adults said they are most likely to make a phone call just to stay in touch without any specific reason.
- 51 percent of adults have been disappointed to receive a text or an email to learn about a special moment or important news.
- 64 percent of all adults and 87 percent of Millennials said they have misinterpreted a text.
“This research reinforces that texts are often misinterpreted and the true sentiment of the message can be lost,” Ms. Goodstein continued. “It’s important to stay connected through live conversation over the phone, especially when relaying important or exciting news. Not only will the true meaning and emotion of your news come across, but you’ll experience a closer connection.”
For Vonage, who provides a mobile app that helps keep friends and family connected no matter where they are, these results prove that even with the popularity of apps such as WhatsApp and Kik Messenger, a voice on the other end of the line can go a long way in making that connection feel more special on the occasions and events where it matters most.