July 8, 2015 | less than a minute read

Email etiquette

Passle

The tools we use for work might have drastically changed in the last few decades, but sometimes being 'old-fashioned' isn't a negative.

As a lecturer, and now a marketer, I have found some email behaviours quite off-putting. From the over-familiar tone of a student, to the co-founder of a startup looking for a favour sending me '???' when I did not answer him immediately.

Perhaps email etiquette lessons are the way forward?

We adapt our tone and approach depending on the social networks we use (and whether it's a personal or corporate account of course), so why isn't this always the case when using email?

Taking the time to add a few extra words can make all the difference between your email being received in the spirit it was intended in, and a missed business opportunity.

In the article linked to below, Marisa Gift gives a few tips to bear in mind when crafting an email.

What are your email bugbears? Let me know on twitter @ctrevien

E-mail is now the primary form of business communication with 90% of “conversations” happening online. As a result, it’s obviously important that we mind our manners when communicating this way! Keep the following e-mail etiquette tips in mind to make sure you’re on your best behavior when e-mailing: Write clear, meaningful subject lines: 35% of e-mail recipients open an e-mail based on the subject line alone so make sure yours gives a compelling, relevant description. Use pleasantries: Would you start a face-to-face conversation without greeting the person first? How about marching out the door without saying “thank you” or “good bye?” You should be using these same simple courtesies in your e-mails.