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Quick Tips
Click on a topic (to the left) for top tips, short articles,
and snippets from our workshop
booklets.
All Quick Tips are in PDF and are less than 25 kb unless
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Here’s a sneak preview:
Online etiquette - think before you click
By Louise Ralph
Most of us probably feel we can’t survive without our email. It is efficient, immediate, and conversational. But the advantages of email can quickly turn to pitfalls if we don’t pay attention.
We need to remember online communication has no vocal clues, no body language – and is sent in the click of a mouse.
Following some basic rules of email etiquette can make our electronic communication more relevant (and pleasant):
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Avoid using exclamation marks!!! in the subject line. Junk mail filters often knock these messages out.
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Use meaningful subject lines.
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Using capital letters is e-SHOUTING – so avoid it where possible.
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Always address the person by name and sign off with your own name.
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Include at least one meaningful sentence.
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Avoid short answer replies like “yep”, “no”, “probably not”.
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Jokes can easily be misunderstood. Add, in brackets, (joke) (only kidding) (hahaha) or use the cyber-wink ;-).
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Avoid
copying people in unnecessarily – unless someone absolutely has to be in the loop, you can risk desensitising
them to important information.
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Use the
blind-copy (BCC) option when sending to a list of people who may not
want you to share their email address with others on the list.
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Beware of writing or forwarding offensive, illegal or confidential emails.
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Think twice before signing up for email lists – what may seem
like a great idea at the time can quickly become annoying, especially if there is no unsubscribe option.
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Put a dot point summary at the beginning of longer emails so readers can see if it’s relevant to them without scrolling down
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Never flame people on email lists – phone or email the person directly if you have a problem/issue to discuss.
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Email is not a private conversation – it can be read by others, and forwarded on accidentally or deliberately. If you don’t want your private business made public, don’t put it in an email.
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Think before you send that angry email. Save
a draft to give yourself time to cool down or just hit the delete button.
Finally, remember the phone? Making a call can be faster and more effective than the email roundabout.
Face-to-face communication is even better – especially if you work in the same building!
Use email as a tool for communication but don’t let cyberspace be the only place you do business.
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Econnect Communication Pty Ltd, 2002
All rights reserved
Email: admin@econnect.com.au
ABN: 83 087 572 996
Date last update:
19 January 2010 |
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