Email Etiquette: 10 basic tips for better communication
Email Etiquette: basic tips for better communication
Etiquette is defined as the rules governing socially acceptable behavior. E-mail messaging now exceeds telephone traffic and is the dominant form of business communication.The rules of email etiquette are not "rules" in the sense that I will come after you if you don't follow them. They are guidelines that help avoid mistakes (like offending someone when you don't mean to) and misunderstandings (like being offended when you're not meant to).
1. Take Another Look Before You Send a Message -
Don't send anything you don't want to send.
2. Do Not Default to "Reply All" -
"Reply" is good. "Reply to All" is better. Right?
3. Keep Emails Short -
Do not intimidate recipients with too much text.4. Properly Format Your Email Replies, and Be Lazy - Email Etiquette Rule-
Do you think quoting original text in your email replies perfectly is a lot of work? Don't let the '>' intimidate you! Here's a very comfortable, relaxed, quick and still clean and compatible way to reply properly.
5. Write Perfect Subject Lines -
Do you make these mistakes in your email subjects? (The key to getting your messages read is not to be clever.)
6. Clean Up Emails Before Forwarding Them - Email Etiquette Rule
Forwarding emails is a great way of sharing ideas, but make sure the original idea is not hidden in obfuscation.7. When in Doubt, Send Plain Text Email, Not Rich HTML
Email hoaxes often contain stories that are intriguing, and sure to irritate. Here's how to spot and stop urban legends
9. Use Antivirus Software, Keep Up to Date,
Make sure you're not spreading worms and viruses via email or act as a vehicle for spreading spam. All this can be caused by malicious emails. Fortunately, there's protection.
More and better communication makes better relationships.
Additional E-mail business etiquette resources
• Netiquette by Virginia Shea, "Miss Manners of the Internet."• NetManners.com: Business E-mail Basics (and other good stuff)• An e-mail vacation... (NPR.org)...with stories of e-mail goofs on the job: the embarrassing e-mail page of shame (good warnings, good laugh).
18 suggestions, including "don't discuss multiple subjects in a single message."Want more?!Google "effective e-mail" or "e-mail etiquette."You'll get a wealth of advice and you'll see patterns.
P.S. Some old advice says to put your reply below the original message. That never really took hold. Current advice and usual business practice is to put your response above the previous e-mail when you reply. And don't delete the original message to which you're responding. The person to whom you're replying has lots of other e-mail besides yours (imagine that!).
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