By Gretchen Ditto, Image & Personal Branding Advisor
Can you imagine a world without email? Email has become the ‘norm’ in our everyday lives. They say texting will soon take over, but in the meantime, this mode of communication has become a huge component of the impression and the image we create for ourselves. An email can even be the first interaction you have with a new client or connection.
Make sure that you’re using this modern tool to its full positive potential, and not to your own disadvantage, by taking a quick glance at our list of email dos and don’ts below:
EMAIL DO’s |
EMAIL DON’TS |
| Use a relevant subject line | USE ALL CAPS |
| Use regular punctuation | use all lowercase |
| Use spel chek | ‘cc’ everyone under the sun |
| Keep it brief and concise | Email in place of phone or face-to-face |
| Acknowledge receipt and next steps | Excessive !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
| Manage expectations | Excessive emoticons (smiley faces J) |
| Smile when writing—keep it positive | ‘Reply all’ unless absolutely necessary |
| Use a signature with each email | Chain emails |
| Bcc with more than 8 recipients | Inappropriate jokes/messages/pictures |
| Reread, reread, reread! | Emails without revision or proofing |
With the help of these simple pointers, you’ll be emailing the way Bill Gates intended in no time! (Now if I could just get my spam-loving great aunt Cheryl to change her ways)
Now it’s your turn to share: What are your biggest email dos and don’ts?
About the Author: Gretchen Ditto is a style advisor and business image consultant with more than 15 years of experience helping clients to project impressions of integrity, confidence and competency.To learn more, visit: www.dittoandco.com
Tags: Do's and Don'ts of email, Email, Email Do's and Don'ts, Email Etiquette
The biggest time-saver that I have implemented in emails with my family is having the subject line be the entire message, which I indicate by (EOM) at the end of the subject (EOM = End of Message). I hesitate to do this with others whom I haven’t already checked that they understand what (EOM) means.
I also wrote a blog post just about email subject lines: http://smalltalkbigresults.wordpress.com/2010/04/03/the-smallest-conversation-4-tips-to-a-better-e-mail-subject-line/