[bumfluff]

I don't use IM cos... well, its a buggy piece of sh*t, frankly, but being an internet-based company, we often communicate between ourselves on ICQ, IRC or email. I'm wary of talking to clients on anything electronic apart from email or telephone though, for a few reasons. One is impression - that first contact is important in establishing your image, and its SO easy to make typos. Second is that unless you set up a seperate messenger account, you can be found anytime you're online with your messenger on. Sometimes you just don't wanna talk business at 4am! I've not really seen any advantages in messengers over phone calls or sms when dealing with clients, and it tends to give a more professional impression. I guess it all depends on the people you're dealing with tho.