Politeness still matters

E-mail etiquette for all

Emails are a relatively new form of communication – emailing emboldens writers – the medium does not discourage occasional impoliteness.  Here are some things you should and shouldn’t do:-

• 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.

• Keep it short and simple

Everybody who has to use emails to communicate is almost by definition very busy – go straight to your point – don’t waffle unnecessarily.

• Learn how to get the best out of your email program

Al 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 – a forgotten reply often offends or worse.

• 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.

• Use a signature

Append short  personal contact details as a courtesy.

• 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.

• 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

• Don’t overquote

When replying to a message, don’t resend the whole thing – only quote the relevant bits, starting quotes with >.

• Don’t send junk

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

• Make your web address easy to use

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

• Take care with the subject line

Thr subject line should tell the recipient 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 urgent.
www.eeicom.com
Robert L. Fielding