Joshua Wilks
Published: February 18 2004
When we talk, we expect other people to observe certain rules of behavior. The same is true online. In the age of Internet communication, the following guidelines are the dos and don’ts for proper etiquette on the Internet, or Netiquette.
<b>DO NOT DO THIS.</b> THIS IS SHOUTING! IT IS ALSO HARD TO READ. See, this is much more readable and not so hard on the eyes.
<b>Clearly summarize the contents of e-mail in the subject line.</b> Properly titled messages help people organize and prioritize their e-mail.
<b>Always start e-mail with a greeting.</b> Just like writing a letter, use Hello, Hi, Dear, etc.
<b>Keep messages concise and to the point.</b> When composing an e-mail, consider the recipient. Avoid long sentences and do not make an e-mail longer than it needs to be, or it may get ignored.
<b>When sending a message to a large group of people use “BCC,” or the “blind copy” option.</b> Just as it isn’t polite to give out a person’s phone number without his or her knowledge, it is not polite to give out someone’s e-mail address. Using this option will make the e-mail seem more personal, too.
<b>Avoid acronyms in e-mail.</b> Acronyms such as LOL (laugh out loud), ROFL (rolling on floor laughing) and BTW (by the way) should be avoided in e-mail – some people might not know what they mean.
<b>Do not forward chain letters or jokes to people without their permission.</b> Most people find constant forwarding annoying and just delete them anyway.
<b>Include a name and contact information at the bottom of a message.</b> The recipient of an e-mail may not know who the sender is by looking at the e-mail address, therefore including a name and contact information will be helpful.
<b>Proofread messages before sending!</b> As with any written correspondence, proofreading is essential in preventing mistakes and any spelling errors. Always use proper spelling, grammar and punctuation, so the message is conveyed properly.
<b>Emoticons (smileys) should be used sparingly. </b>
🙂 😉 😛 :-* 😀 😎 🙁
Smileys are typically used in personal e-mail, and are not considered appropriate for business. Even with a smiley, someone may misunderstand the intent.
<b>Ask any questions at the end of the message.</b> If you need a response to a question, ask the question and end the message, or list all questions again at the end of the message.
<b>If a reply is needed let the recipient know.</b> Type “Please Respond” in the subject line, or include it at the beginning and at the end of the message.
<b>If in doubt, leave it out.</b> As it the case with most things in life, if there is doubt whether or not to include something in an e-mail, the best bet would be to leave it out completely.
<b>Don’t reply to SPAM.</b> Replying to spam or by unsubscribing is confirming that the e-mail address is “live”. Confirming this will only generate more spam. Just delete the message and block the sender.
<b>Be nice.</b> Always end your e-mails with a Thank you, Sincerely, Take it easy, Best regards – something!
E-mail is a serious communication tool, not an excuse to forget about being courteous or friendly. Modeling appropriate use of netiquette is essential to maximizing the benefits of e-mail as a tool for effectively communicating in Cyberspace.
<i>Compiled from www.onlinenetiquette.com</i>