The only macros I use are target of target <tt > for the dots and attacks so I never have to click off the tank. I had echo macros when I first started ast so I could read the text in larger font than what was on the tool tip until I got used to what the cards did.

Echoes stay invisible to party but they're lines of text you can read privately in your own text box. Personally I don't think anyone in the party cares what you're giving them, most barely notice unless they run a parser to see what your actions were during the battles and how often you drew a card ability.

Plus, unless you're in a full RP group, spamming ability macros in pt chat is really distracting if the other people aren't in that line of thinking. Especially those that add sounds to them...