Final Email Etiquette_Sept'15
description
Transcript of Final Email Etiquette_Sept'15
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EMAIL ETIQUETTE
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EMAIL ETIQUETTE
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What We Will Discuss Today
COMPONENTS OF AN EMAIL
oSubject Line
oSalutation
oBody
oEnding
FORMAT
TONE
DOS AND DONTS
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To | CC | BCC | RR
Only use cc when it is important for those you cc to know about the contents of the
email. Overuse can cause your emails to be ignored.
Include addresses in the To: field for those who you would like a response from.
Include addresses in the Cc: field for those who you are just FYI'ing.
Think about your motives when adding addresses to BCC. To send BCC copies to
others as a way of talking behind someone's back is inconsiderate.
Don't use Read Receipt (RR) on every single email. Doing so is viewed as intrusive,
annoying and can be declined by the other side anyway.
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The Subject Line
Never send emails without a subject line. No subject can get your email flagged as spam.
Make it short and to the point. For instance "Meeting date changed," "Quick question about
your presentation," or "Suggestions for the proposal."
Do not change the subject line midway during an email chain.
If the email chain topic has deviated from subject line, change the subject line to make it
relevant. But let audience know the subject line has been changed.
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Salutation
Write a salutation for each new subject email.
When can you omit the greeting?
The greeting establishes the tone of the message.
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Email Body Length (Cont.)
Try to keep the email brief (one screen length).
Write clear, short paragraphs.
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Email Body Length
When your message is long
Create an elevator summary.
Provide a table of contents on the first screen of your email.
Create headings for each major section.
If you require a response from the reader then be sure to request that response in the first paragraph of your email.
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Email Body - Sentences
Keep your sentences short.
Effective Communication vs display of linguistic brilliance.
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Email Body - Lists and Bullets
When you want to emphasize important points, bullet your main points.
Example,
The objective of this initiative is to:
o Improve customer satisfaction.
o Empower employees.
o Increase company branding
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Email Body Replying to Emails
Answer should be relevant to and in continuation with original email.
Always include the original message at the end of your email for reference.
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Email Body Content Issues (Cont.)
Delivering Information About Meetings, Orientations, Processes
Include an elevator summary and table of contents with headings.
Provide as much information as possible.
Offer the reader an opportunity to receive the information via mail if the email is too confusing.
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Email Body Content Issues (Cont.)
Delivering Bad News
Deliver the news up front: We are unable to order new computers this quarter due to budget cuts.
Avoid blaming statements.
Maintain a positive resolve: I think it will be hard to recover from this, but what can I do to help?
Avoid using ambiguous words such as:
Possibly, most likely, perhaps, maybe
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Email Body Content Issues (Cont.) Writing a complaint
Briefly state the history of the problem to provide context for your reader.
Explain the attempts you made previously to resolve the problem.
Show why it is critical for the problem to be resolved by your reader.
Offer suggestions on ways you think it can be resolved or how you are willing to help in the matter.
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Email Body Capitalization
Avoid using all capital letters which may come across as yelling.
How are you?
is much more professional than
HOW ARE YOU?
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Email Body Using Lower Case
Avoid using all lower case letters.
Not proper grammar.
Will not be taken seriously.
Reflects a dont care attitude.
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Email Body Punctuation
Avoid using lots of punctuations such as three exclamation
points at the end of your sentence.
Not necessary and not professional.
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Email Body Abbreviations
Do NOT use short hand and abbreviations in your email.
plz, str8 and LOL are appropriate for texts and instant messages with friends but never for email.
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Email Body Emoticons
: ) is not appropriate for email. Avoid using all emoticons when writing to a professional.
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Ending
Sincerely,
Kind regards,
Best regards,
Warm regards,
Cheers!
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Attachments Zip" or compress large attachments before sending.
Never send large attachments without notice! Always ask what would be the best time to send them first.
It is better to spread multiple attachments over several emails rather than attaching them all to one
email to avoid clogging the pipeline.
Make sure the other side has the same software as you before sending attachments or they may not be
able to open your attachment.
When sending multiple attachments, name the files according to content and let the recipient know in
email body about the files.
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Email Forwarding Don't forward emails that say to do so--no matter how noble the cause may be. Most are hoaxes
and may not be appreciated by those you send to.
If someone asks you to refrain from forwarding emails they have that right and you shouldn't get mad or take it personally.
When forwarding email, if you cannot take the time to type a personal comment to the person you are forwarding to--then don't bother.
Don't forward anything without editing out all the forwarding >>>>, other email addresses, headers and commentary from all the other forwarders.
If you must forward to more than one person, put your email address in the TO: field and all the
others you are sending to in the BCC: field to protect their email address from being published to those they do not know. This is a serious privacy issue!
Be careful when forwarding email on political or controversial issues. The recipient may not appreciate your POV.
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Tone Do not be demanding or curt.
I need more information. X
If possible, can you share some more information with me?
Write in a positive tone.
If you complete the report. X
When you complete the report.
Use contractions to add a friendly tone.
(dont, wont, cant).
I cannot take on this project. X
I cant take on this project.
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Format
Selective use of bold, italics and underline.
Use bold and underline to emphasize. Use Italics as a differentiator.
Do NOT use patterned backgrounds as it makes it harder to read the message.
Avoid fancy fonts. Use a font that has a professional or neutral look.
Avoid using multiple colors in emails.
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Response Time to Emails
If you cannot respond to an email promptly, at the very least email back confirming your receipt and when the sender can expect your response.
If you have cut off times for when you will respond to email, inform your audience about those
times.
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Emotionally Charged Emails
NEVER send an email when you are upset or angry. Wait until the next day to reread
your words and make sure that what you want to say is appropriate and professional.
You can NOT retract or take back an email you later wish you never sent.
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Check, Check and Re-check
Always reread your email a few times to find grammatical and spelling errors.
Use Spell Check.
Always reread the recipients name and title to make sure it is correct.
Small mistakes such as Lalitha instead of Lalita could be disrespectful or appear as though not a lot of thought went into composing the email.
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Is an Email Needed?
Phone calls or face to face discussions when
If things become very heated
A lot of misunderstanding occurs
When you are delivering very delicate news
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EMAIL IS ALL ABOUT
Appropriate
Bullets
Edit
Language
Plan
Proofread
Subject Line
Tone
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Etiquette means behaving yourself a little better
than is absolutely essential.