I was recently reminded of a conversation I had with my wife a few months ago.

She mentioned she had not read an email I’d forwarded to her a couple of days earlier.

It wasn’t an urgent issue, so it wasn’t a big deal. But, it did prompt the question:

Why don’t you check your email more often?

Her answer was insightful:

When someone emails me, they usually want something. It’s typically a request for money, an opportunity to volunteer, or some other demand for my time and attention. I get tired of it, so I’m not very motivated to interact with my email.

I pushed this line of questioning a little further.

I understand why you don’t like email, but you seem to text a lot. Is texting any better?

Her response surprised me:

Texting is much better because it’s a conversation, and I enjoy connecting with people.

I think this sentiment is very common.

If you want to have conversations with your recruiting prospects, text them.

If you want to be perceived as selling something, email them.