As a personal life coach and former marketing executive, Kathy Robinson of Simpsonville, S.C., knows the importance of proper telephone etiquette and effective communication.

"First impressions that people get when they call are important," she says.

And as a mother of three, Robinson and her husband are teaching their children the value of such skills. "We are big on speaking to others politely ... so it's natural that we would expect the same manners when answering the phone."

Robinson emphasizes to her children to give a caller their full attention and to "turn off the TV when taking a message."

Becoming distracted may not be intentional, but etiquette experts say we still need to remind ourselves of the importance of basic telephone manners. We especially need to be role models for our children, who are growing up in a digital age of texting and instant messaging.

"I do not feel telephone etiquette has become a lost art as of yet," says Denise LeFort, a mother of two teenage girls and director of Student Professional Development Programs for the College of Business and Behavioral Science at Clemson University. "I think it could have the potential to, especially with this age group and the technology as they use it more and more"

Of course, that's not to say that technology is the only culprit, she says.

"I like the new technology and I communicate via text. It is convenient sometimes ... but there are times when talking is definitely more appropriate," she says.

There are plenty of surveys out there about cell phones and the rude behavior of many cell phone users in public, says Michael Lindblom, human talent engineer for The Phone Coach/The Rainmaker Group, an online company that provides customized phone skills training for businesses nationwide.

Regardless of whether you're using a cell phone or a home phone, basic etiquette should always remain key. In fact, in today's fast-paced, multi-tasking society, it's even more important to practice telephone etiquette, Lindblom says.

"The telephone is often the first line of communication for consumers to business," he says. "Therefore, the telephone greeting is the first 'live' impression the customer can get. ... How would you like that impression to be? It's really no different for our personal lives."

Taking accurate messages is also important, Lindblom says. "Taking proper messages is not only good etiquette; it's good business."

And the earlier children are taught such skills, the better, LeFort says. "And I think as with any issue, parents should teach their children skills such as taking proper messages at an early age, no matter what type of technology is prevalent at the time."

The Robinsons stress good note-taking skills to their children, ages 10-17. "We have them read back the phone number when taking a message," says Robinson.

Basic telephone etiquette may seem like common sense, LeFort says. However, there is so much information out there that people get overwhelmed and forget the proper protocol.

"I just think it's something we have to stress that it still is important. You can't forget about the importance of effective communication — face to face, voice to voice."

TIPS FOR GOOD PHONE ETIQUETTE

• Answer the phone with a proper greeting.

• Speak clearly and distinctly.

• Watch your tone of voice. Avoid sounding disinterested or like you're not actually listening.

"That means a lot — if you sound positive, polite or interested," says Denise LeFort of Clemson University. "And the difference between telephone conversation and a text message is that you obviously don't hear the tone. Some of the things we take for granted is amazing."

• Give the caller your full attention.

• Address the party on the receiving end without raising your voice and without a lot of background noise.

• Ask the caller, "May I take a message?"

• If a caller does leave a phone number, repeat the number back.

• Close the conversation with a "goodbye" or "thank you." Don't just hang up.

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Phone ettiquette: What do kids need to know?