Each week I get literally hundreds of e-mails from concerned Netizens about how to handle those they care about (or those who simply don’t care) in regard to issues involving E-mail Etiquette and proper technology use. 30% of those e-mails pertain to business related issues!
What has become clear in my decade long journey of championing this topic is that most folks don’t know what is right, what the guidelines are or how they are being perceived by virtue of how they choose to use e-mail. Online, just as in the off-line world, is not an “anything goes” environment and there are repercussions based on your actions, the words you choose and how you use technology. In business, lack of E-mail Etiquette is called lost opportunity!
I’ve launched a new project today to help get the word out about proper technology use and E-mail Etiquette specifically. It’s called The E-mail Etiquette Revolution!
The concept is simple. Everyone posts the Revolution’s logo on their sites and Blogs and links back to the Revolution site. Visitors Take the Pledge to use technology as a way to learn, grow and thrive; not as an excuse to be lazy or not use the education we received in grade school.
We use the viral nature of the Web to work together to get the word out about this very important topic. Are you up to the challenge? Won’t you join me?
Take The Pledge today then Grab a Logo and let’s start a Revolution!
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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
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Over the past year, I’ve experienced even my plain text, no graphics or attachment e-mails getting blocked by the other side because I inadvertently did something spammy.
In my case, it was usually the original e-mail I was responding to was spammy (way formatted, had an embedded graphic, etc.) contained within that took my reply right with it — blocked!
The fact remains that e-mail is not a brochure nor was it ever meant to be a fancily fonted graphically enhanced message. Although the temptation is there because the tools to do so are available in your e-mail program, if you are serious about your e-mail getting through, you need to be a “plain Jane” so to speak.
Why would formatting, embedding and such tools exist if they are now causing so many legitimate e-mails from getting through the network? Well, the answer is simple. Back in the day who would have thought that commercialism would so corrupt this communication tool is such a way as to necessitate the need to start blocking spammers. Heck, the word spam used to mean luncheon meat!
When it comes to business, it is best you type your e-mail properly from head to toe while being concise and clear about your message without having to rely on any formatting, caps or embedded graphics. I’ve typed about this topic before here on my Blog, but many ignore my advice because they still want their photo, their logo or that fancy colored font to be seen in their business e-mails. Fine… then know you risk your e-mail getting blocked. You simply can’t have it both ways.
If you do get an e-mail returned due to “policy reasons” you know the system on the other side picked up on something spammy within your e-mail. You can check to see what that may be by using this free tool online that checks the content of your e-mail called ContentChecker.
And for those who didn’t catch my article on the topic yet, give it a read now and ensure your e-mails get through to their intended parties: How To Avoid Looking Spammy.
At your service,
Judith
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