How to Improve Your Digital Communication Skills

Published on: September 18, 2025

Woman talking to multiple people during a video call on her computer.

Whether you're a student emailing a professor, a new hire on Slack or a manager leading remote standups, how you communicate online shapes how people perceive you and whether work moves forward smoothly. If you’re wondering, what digital communication is, it is the mix of messages you send through email, chat, video and social platforms — and the habits that make those messages effective. Strong digital communication skills help ensure your ideas land the way you intend and that your relationships grow as a result.

Read on to learn how to improve digital communication skills by leaning on fundamentals like active listening during calls, reading nonverbal cues and body language on video and choosing the right channel for the job. We’ll also cover communication within platforms like email, Slack and Microsoft Teams, along with practical tips that keep professionalism front and center for both students and working pros.

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What Is Digital Communication?

At its core, digital communication is the exchange of information through email, chat, video and shared platforms where messages are shaped by audience, purpose and channel. It covers more than words on a screen; effective digital communication skills combine clarity, tone and timing with choices like whether to direct message (DM), post in a channel or schedule a call.

For instance, on video you lean on nonverbal cues and body language to reinforce meaning. In chat, you use formatting and concise structure to keep threads readable. In both settings, active listening matters just as much as speaking, so you confirm understanding and reflect back key points. The goal is to propel work forward while maintaining professionalism, no matter if you are writing a concise update, documenting a decision or practicing good Slack and Teams communication etiquette.

Examples of Digital Communication

To get a better picture of the breadth of digital communication, everyday examples could include:

A status email that headlines the goal, blockers and next steps

A concise chat thread that summarizes a decision

A quick screen-share to walk through a file

A calendar invite that sets expectations for time and outcomes

Comments in shared docs

Discussion board posts for class

Annotated screenshots

Short Zoom videos/screen recordings

Team updates in project tools

In meetings, a brief recap in the channel keeps everyone aligned, which is a core part of thoughtful Slack and team communication. Even reactions, emojis and acknowledgments play a role when used with clarity and professionalism.

Why Strong Digital Communication Skills Matter

Strong digital communication skills save time and reduce confusion while building trust across classes and teams. They signal professionalism to professors, classmates, managers and clients — in turn affecting grades, reviews and opportunities. Clear writing and sharp meeting habits lead to faster decisions and enhanced collaboration, especially in hybrid settings where nonverbal cues or body language can be easy to miss. Leaning on digital communication skills, you make it easier for others to respond, escalate issues and share context, which keeps projects moving and relationships thriving.

Tips to Improve Your Digital Communication Skills

You’ll improve digital communication skills fastest by tightening clarity, matching the channel to the message and building habits that show professionalism.

1. Practice Clear and Concise Writing

Make every message easy to scan so your main point lands fast and clearly. Lead with the ask, add one line of context, then spell out next steps so no one has to hunt through threads. On longer notes, use short paragraphs, informative subject lines and front-loaded bullets so readers can grasp the structure at a glance. This isn’t an arbitrary preference, either: usability studies show that concise, scannable writing helps people find information faster and reduces errors, which is invaluable when it comes to searching busy inboxes and channels.

2. Be Mindful of Tone

Text strips away voice and facial cues, so even a neutral sentence can read as abrupt or sarcastic. To avoid being misread, default to plain language, state intent up front and add a brief summary of what you’re asking for. When stakes are high or emotions run hot, switch channels so tone travels better — a quick call or video often prevents days of back-and-forth. After all, senders tend to overestimate how well recipients “hear” tone over email, which is why small habits like softening openers and confirming understanding matter.

3. Improve Your Video and Audio Presence

Your presence on camera shapes how people read nonverbal cues and body language. These basics can make ideas easier to follow and reduce meeting fatigue, especially when topics are nuanced and clarity matters:

Raise your camera to eye level.

Face a steady light source.

Frame head and shoulders so expressions are visible.

Use a headset or decent microphone to cut echo.

Test settings before joining.

Keep backgrounds calm so attention stays on the content.

4. Listen and Respond Actively

Strong communicators practice active listening across every channel. On calls, reflect key points in your own words, ask a clarifying question, then confirm next steps to close the loop. In chat, recap decisions in a final message so there’s a record. Research on effective listening ties these behaviors to better collaboration and fewer reworks.

5. Organize Your Digital Communication Tools

A tidy system makes Slack and Teams communication faster as well as boosts team clarity. Reduce clutter and confusion by giving communication channels or spaces clear names and consistent prefixes, then keep topics in the right place.

In Slack, adopt channel naming conventions, and use threads to contain side discussions so updates stay findable.

In Teams, apply a simple naming policy and documented settings so people know where to post and how to notify.

6. Practice Digital Etiquette

Respect people’s time with specific subject lines, concise bodies and complete questions from the get-go (instead of sending “hi” with no context, for instance). Join calls on mute and be aware of your actions on camera. In the chat, keep messages purposeful rather than one-liners that trigger a flurry of notifications for others.

7. Stay Updated on New Technologies

Tools evolve quickly, so build a habit of lightweight upskilling. Follow credible reports, take short courses and revisit team norms when platforms add features that change workflows. Global surveys point to rapid disruption of core skills and a rising need for continuous learning — meaning that staying current with your credentials and knowledge is part of modern digital communication skills.

Ready to Sharpen Your Digital Communication?

We covered what digital communication is, why strong digital communication skills shape trust and results (in school and at work), plus how to improve digital communication skills. Ready to put these habits to work while earning a credential that moves your career forward? Explore Husson University’s flexible online degree and certificate program options. Practice-based courses, supportive faculty and schedules that fit real life help you apply and improve communication skills from day one. Get in touch for more information!