by Debbie Disher
So what kinds of things drive you crazy in the emails you receive? My biggest pet peeve is when people forward information they believe to be true but haven't checked it out. But there are others that aren't much better. How about those really long emails that seem to go on and on forever? Or those that are full of spelling mistakes?
So today I suggest some of these guidelines for making your emails come off a little more polished and professional.
1. Don't use all caps - even for one word in your email. It is considered shouting or yelling.
2. Use appropriate capitalization and lower case letters in your email. Those of you who are tempted to use all lower case, because it is easier on your mobile device. You may come across as lazy or uneducated.
3. If you are upset about something - walk away - don't email someone when you are worked up about an issue or topic.
4. Take time to proof read and spell check your email. It is so easy in our busy world to type up something, send the email only to find out later that you have mis-communicated.
5. Start your email with a greeting and use a closing line. Without these your email comes off as demanding.
6. When you have a misunderstanding with someone try to solve it in person. Email is not the best way to solve these misunderstandings.
7. A wild accusation comes through your email and you are tempted to forward the story to your friends. I beg you to take the time and use a site like Snopes to verify the story. No one wants to get some emotionally charged accusation only to find out it isn't true.
8. When do you want to use to, cc or bcc? To should be used for those who directly need the email you are sending and who you expect to receive a response from. CC should be used who the information is just a FYI. Bcc's should be used in very rare occassions. It is considered talking behind someone's back.
9. Keep your emails short and to the point. No one needs a book from you in their inbox.
10. Don't forward those chain letters, such as those who say send this message to 5 friends and you will be blessed with good fortune. This is not where your blessings will come from and your friends really don't want this junk in their inbox.
There are so many other possible tips, but I think this covers some of the big ones. Let me know what your pet peeves are or your email tips.
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Check back with http://dishtech.weebly.com weekly as we present “THE DISH” on topics of interest for the technology curious!
So what kinds of things drive you crazy in the emails you receive? My biggest pet peeve is when people forward information they believe to be true but haven't checked it out. But there are others that aren't much better. How about those really long emails that seem to go on and on forever? Or those that are full of spelling mistakes?
So today I suggest some of these guidelines for making your emails come off a little more polished and professional.
1. Don't use all caps - even for one word in your email. It is considered shouting or yelling.
2. Use appropriate capitalization and lower case letters in your email. Those of you who are tempted to use all lower case, because it is easier on your mobile device. You may come across as lazy or uneducated.
3. If you are upset about something - walk away - don't email someone when you are worked up about an issue or topic.
4. Take time to proof read and spell check your email. It is so easy in our busy world to type up something, send the email only to find out later that you have mis-communicated.
5. Start your email with a greeting and use a closing line. Without these your email comes off as demanding.
6. When you have a misunderstanding with someone try to solve it in person. Email is not the best way to solve these misunderstandings.
7. A wild accusation comes through your email and you are tempted to forward the story to your friends. I beg you to take the time and use a site like Snopes to verify the story. No one wants to get some emotionally charged accusation only to find out it isn't true.
8. When do you want to use to, cc or bcc? To should be used for those who directly need the email you are sending and who you expect to receive a response from. CC should be used who the information is just a FYI. Bcc's should be used in very rare occassions. It is considered talking behind someone's back.
9. Keep your emails short and to the point. No one needs a book from you in their inbox.
10. Don't forward those chain letters, such as those who say send this message to 5 friends and you will be blessed with good fortune. This is not where your blessings will come from and your friends really don't want this junk in their inbox.
There are so many other possible tips, but I think this covers some of the big ones. Let me know what your pet peeves are or your email tips.
- - - - - - - - -
Check back with http://dishtech.weebly.com weekly as we present “THE DISH” on topics of interest for the technology curious!