Tag Archives: email etiquette

Blog, Email Etiquette, Etiquette, Men, Women

When Email Isn’t Enough by Kimberly Law, AICI CIP

January 25, 2013 Kimberly Leave a comment

For centuries, handwritten letters delivered by messengers or post were the only form of written correspondence. Over time typewriters became the norm, but the delivery system remained the same. Now with the explosion of email we are able to correspond at lightning speed. Even though it is fast and easy, there are times when electronics just won’t do.

Thank You

If you are given a gift, are the recipient of a favour, have received excellent service or have been interviewed for a job, send a thank you as soon as possible. Even though email is a fast and easy way to say thank you, a hand written thank you note, letter, or card shows you have taken the time to put it in writing and will come across more sincere.

Sympathy

Sympathy is not the right time for email. If you are close to someone whose family member has died, send a handwritten sympathy letter or card as soon as you hear the news. If you learn about the death of someone who is connected to you in some way, the card or letter is sent to the person you know the best.

Apology

When you have hurt someone’s feelings, pick up the phone or apologise face-to-face. For an extra nice gesture follow up with a handwritten note.

Email definitely has its place. It is fast; it is easy; but in some situations a call or handwritten note is more effective. Before going to your computer, take the time to consider the purpose and consider the person you are corresponding to.

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Etiquette, Uncategorized

Email Etiquette

October 1, 2009 Kimberly 2 Comments

Even though email can be a real time saver, it is still a form of written correspondence. Business emails should be written with the same formality and etiquette as a business letter.

State the subject in the “subject” box.
Start with a salutation like Dear… or Hello… or Greetings…
Emails should be brief and to the point.
Don’t send sensitive information by email. Accidents do occasionally happen.
It’s easy to whip off a quick email, but remember to pay attention to spelling and grammar so that you are clearly understood.
Do not use all capital letters in an e-mail message: it comes across as shouting.
If you are sending an email to a group, and the individuals do not need to know who else is receiving the e-mail, use the “blind copy” box to type the email addresses. This prevents people’s e-mail addresses from being sent to others.
Your e-mail signature should include: your name, title, company name, company telephone number, your direct line and fax number.
When e-mailing different time zones, be clear about dates and times.
Address people as Mr. or Ms. unless they specify a different title in their signature.
Respond to e-mails in a timely manner. Either right away or, if it will take longer to obtain information, within 48 hours reply that it will take longer to get the required information.
Business email addresses should come across professional and reflect your industry and position.
Be respectful of other people’s time; do not send junk-mail, chain letters or jokes.

Personal emails can be more flexible in format and content although etiquette is still important. Remember to use your manners like you would in a verbal conversation. Things like please and thank you can make a big difference in an e-mail. No matter what the topic, always be considerate of the person you are writing to. Also, remember that emails sometimes end up in the wrong inbox and are unintentionally read by the wrong person. Don’t include content you might regret someone else reading. Manners matter, no matter what that format – verbal, hand-written or electronically.

Etiquette, Uncategorized

Texting and BlackBerry Etiquette – Kimberly Law

September 23, 2009 Kimberly 1 Comment

About a year ago three teenage cousins were invited by their grandparents to go out for dinner and then to a play. They all seemed excited about the activity until they arrived at the restaurant. After they arrived, two of the three girls received text messages. Instead of shutting off their cell phones and enjoying the company of their grandparents and each other, they started text messaging their friends and each other. This left the grandparents and the third cousin sitting there feeling left out, annoyed and uncomfortable. At the theatre they continued text messaging throughout the play. Each time a text was received the phone would vibrate and the light came on, annoying the people around them. It was also embarrassing and insulting to the grandparents.

Unfortunately this is a commons story and it happens often. When it comes to cell phones and text messaging we often forget our manners and etiquette. We don’t consider how the people around us might feel. Think about the last time you were kept waiting while somone you were with had an non-important texting conversation.

Some people think that portable devices such as BlackBerry’s used for texting, emailing and planning your day follow different rules of etiquette then should be followed for chatting on a cell telephone. I think that most would agree they are generally less annoying then being forced to listen in on a cell phone conversation just because you happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. However, just because they are more private and less disruptive then cell phones it, doesn’t mean you should use them at anytime. Checking and responding to e-mail, text messaging or planning your day on a portable device during these times is just plain rude!

During a meeting, public event, lecture or in a classroom.
Restaurants. (Unless you are alone)
Places of worship, weddings & funerals.
In someone else’s home or office.
While socialising with others face-to-face.

When using any kind of electronic conversational device for texting, emailing or talking, consider the people around you and on the other end of the conversation.

Tag Archives: email etiquette

Kimberly Law AICI, CIP

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