Email Etiquette

Email: It can be a Problem-Solver, or it can just create more problems.

How you write effects how you are perceived.

THE NEXT GENERATION: My teenage daughter asked: “Would it be passive/agressive to anonymously send someone the Email Etiquette class book?” I told her that would be bad form.  But for someone her age to notice a problem is just indicative of the need for all of us to up our email game!  

Where is your level of email etiquette?

Email is a powerful, business-enhancing medium. Like most communication, its purpose is threefold:

1. To solve problems.
2. To provide information.
3. To persuade others to act.

You may be asking, “But, what is EMAIL etiquette?” Hearing the word etiquette brings to mind table settings and which fork to use with which course! That has nothing to do with email. But it is all about using the correct procedures in a situation so as not to be perceived as lacking in manners, or in the workplace, as not being professional.

When it comes to email etiquette:

• Always prepare before writing (like anything!). When you sit down to write an email, be prepared to focus your purpose and your audience.
• Using the written word, avoid potentially troublesome areas including: emotions, gestures, jokes, sarcasm, and statements that require vocal inflection.  Tread lightly. Your perception may differ from your recipient’s.
• Consider the audience in relation to using IM or TXT language (u no?).
• Keep written communication short and sweet—have mercy on the readers!
• Prevent the “Reply To All” problem.  Use BCC when mailing to a large/diverse group (to protect people’s information).  Use CC  sparingly.

• TYPING IN ALL CAPS IS YELLING!
• Proofread you’re werk to bee sure u havnty mad any mistakes. (Yes, that was intentional.)

For further reference, check out these email etiquette tips from Business Insider >>

For more writing tips check out our Business Writing curriculum.  See our public class list for our upcoming seminars. If you’re looking for ways to improve your or your organization’s communication skills, look into one (or more) of the training services provided by Improving Communications. 

Other Resources:

8 Tips for Writing an Effective Email

This is the Worst Reply Allpocalypse We’ve Ever Seen!

10 Writing Mistakes that Make Your Emails Ineffective

Image by Muhammad Ribkhan from Pixabay