I take my business e-mails very seriously and personally. See, I understand that those who don’t know me at all or too well will be determining if the want to do business with me. They do this initially by virtue of the level of professionalism displayed in my e-mail communications — which will contribute to how easily it will be to partner, work with or hire me.
Once you begin working with me, I immediately start coaching on Business E-mail Etiquette practices. This is for my clients own good — whether they know it or not — to ensure that they are perceived as the credible professionals they are, or need to work on becoming. All to give them the best shot at success in this über competitive online market.
Those who are serious about their online image; immediately embrace the information and resources I provide. While others, even 10 years later and after many a suggestion to work on or hone these skills, refuse to integrate any form of courtesy or professionalism in their e-mails. They must feel e-mail etiquette doesn’t apply to them?
They know how to configure the little blurb about sending from their “crackberry.” They certainly know where the exclamation point and question mark keys are so that they can hit them redundantly. So effort is being made — just not in the appropriate areas to make sure they provide pleasant and professional communications.
Forget about nice greetings and throwing in a gratuitous “thanks for your help” or “TIA!”. Instead demands and questions are blurted out in one line, typo laden e-mails that make me wonder what their customers are thinking by virtue of the way they choose to communicate.
Yes, it is a choice about how you will be perceived. It is your choice how you choose to communicate with the written word. And, it is your choice as to whether you use technology with knowledge, understand and courtesy. Are you a professional? Are you educated? Could have fooled me…
What I am most curious about is why you feel e-mail etiquette doesn’t apply to you and that it is something you can choose to ignore and not embrace. Please do pipe in and let me know… I’ve yet to hear a valid business reason given as to why business onliners choose to be rude, terse and illiterate instead of making the minuscule efforts necessary to be view favorably as the expert professionals that potential customers will choose to do business with.
At your service,
Judith
For some time now, loyal readers of my Email Etiquette Blog have written suggesting that they would prefer more business oriented discussion and tips specifically in regard to Business Email Etiquette.
Today, I am proud to announce the launch of my Business Only — Business Email Etiquette Blog. There I will discuss the issues most important to business folks, based on your requests, input and the issues I get contacted about most when it comes to proper technology use and business email practices.
So check it out and subscribe! I look forward to typing with you about Business Email Etiquette!
At your service,
Judith
Trends suggest to me that more business e-mails are not making it to their intended parties. Why? They are spammy!
What makes an e-mail spammy? Usually things that the Sender does that shouldn’t be in a business e-mail to start with. Like, embedded graphics (backgrounds, photos, logos), formatted text and improper structure.
So be sure your business e-mails make it to the other side and read my article: How to Avoid Looking Spammy.
At your service,
Judith
