I'm trying to compose an effective message for staying in touch with classmates through Skype. As a more "informal" medium than email, would a shorter message be more appropriate?
I have already attempted to reconnect with pretty much everyone, and as expected, people who I haven't exchanged a word with for years rarely respond, while those who were in my class this year respond pretty much 100%. Because of these two extremes, I haven't been able to gauge which type of approach is more effective. I use two types of messages, translated into English:
1. "How's the application [to university] going?"
2."Hey Mark, we haven't spoken in a while. I wonder how you're doing.
I applied for X subject and I'm going to Y country next month."
The first one is what feels comfortable to me, and it violates some of the MT guidance on keeping in touch by asking a question. The second one initially felt very awkward to me as something to send over skype - part of why I cut out the "Hope you're well. Regards, Z" ending and why I tend to break it up and send it in two separate messages. The second one has been getting more comfortable the more I use it, and it also allowed me to have a short exchange with a long-lost friend who has a history of not replying to my more casual approaches, but I'm still not 100% confident that long is the way to go.
Over a medium where short messages are the norm, which type of message is better? Should I still go long? Further, what, if any, modifications to my template message (the one I should use) would improve it?
Is skype the bets option?
I don't use skype because it's not as convenient as email, texting, or calling. Your mates use those media all the time anyway so why not keep it simple?
If you must use skype, I'd suggest, "Hey, Mark! It's David Roberts. I'm trying to keep in touch with some of our classmates. What's new?"
David
Perhaps instead of "How's
Perhaps instead of "How's the application [to university] going?" you could try "I hope the application [to university] is going well." It doesn't oblige them to respond. But people will appreciate you showing interest. And if they are interested in responding they will.