When I get addressed as “Dear Sir/Madam” in any e-mail, I know the Sender is lazy. How do I know this? Because my sites are so me. With just one or two clicks you know that “Judith” is the person behind the site. I’m not a Sir, nor do I really consider myself a Madam!

So, if one wants to contact me with a business related e-mail and uses this greeting, I know they are probably not too discriminating in who they are contacting with their offer. They just want to get their collateral in front of whomever is behind the site.

One would think they would want to know about the person behind the site before e-mailing therefore actually finding my name. Nope — they don’t care about who I am — they just want to get their message across with the least amount of effort. What do you think that says about your business or “opportunity?”

Then, there are those who e-mail and address me by name. Some use Ms. Kallos or Judith — either way, I know they took a moment of their time to know who they are e-mailing and to address me by name. How nice is that!? I can tell you I take offers or requests from folks who e-mail in that manner much more seriously than the mass form spammers who just want to copy and paste and hit Send.

Particularly in business, this little extra E-mail Etiquette effort goes along way to impressing the other side with the seriousness and professionalism of your request. What is a business person to do if they can’t find a name to specifically address their e-mail to? Pick up the old fashioned telephone and ask! Are we becoming telephobic?

Details matter when it comes to business e-mails. And, more times than not, e-mail is not the best mode of first contact. Make the extra effort to pick up the phone and give a call, introduce yourself and ask if you may e-mail additional information. Now, that’s how you do business!

At your service,
Judith