Tread carefully #1.

E-mail etiquette for all

Emailing emboldens writers – here are some things you should and shouldn’t do:-

Ø Check where your message is going BEFORE you send it.
Look at the “To” and “cc” lines, and be careful which button you hit to reply to a message – reply NOT reply all.

Ø Keep it short and simple
Go straight to your point – don’t waffle unnecessarily.

Ø Learn how to get the best out of your email program
All email programs have features that help you to manage your mail more efficiently and more effectively – keep only the most recent messages in your Inbox – forgetting to reply often offends.

Ø Use blind copies when sending mass messages
When sending to a lot of people, use the bcc feature to save everybody getting everybody else’s email address – save people having to scroll down to the message.

Ø Use a signature
Append short personal contact details as a courtesy.

Ø Don’t send things that can’t be read or opened
Nothing makes people more frustrated than not being to open stuff that they have been sent. Check what you are sending – leave out non-verbal symbols.

Ø Don’t format
Don’t send specially formatted messages – they might not get opened – or they might find their way into the Junk Mail Box

Ø Don’t overquote
When replying, don’t resend the whole thing – only quote the relevant bits, starting quotes with >.

Ø Don’t send junk
Don’t send stuff just because it amuses you – people have to prioritize message openings.

Ø Make your web address easy to use
If you put in a web address, include the http:// bit to make it recognizable and clickable.

Ø Take care with the subject line
The subject line should say what the message is about – no subject lines get low priority – too general has the same effect – don’t use the word ‘urgent’ unless it is.
www.eeicom.com
Robert L. Fielding