Email Etiquette 101

So, it's 2015 and no one needs any direction on how to use email, right? Believe it or not there are people who still do not understand know how to properly use email. Let me give you three quick examples of what not to do when sending an email.

1 - Email lists - If you are emailing a group of people by all means send the email to yourself and BCC (blind carbon copy) everyone else in the list. This simple act will accomplish hiding your address book from others as well as not allowing others to send a "reply all" to everyone in the group. There may be reasons you would want to show everyone's email addresses but common courtesy is to never give out other people's email addresses unless they are public or permission is given.

2 - Reply All - Unless your reply actually applies to everyone in the group, try hitting the reply button instead of the reply all. I know this may come as shocking news but not everyone in an email string wants to see every reply which has absolutely nothing to do with them. Smile, you are important but maybe not all your emails are...

3 - Forget how you are communicating - always remember email lacks an important factor for communication (non-verbal communication); when you are emailing others they do not get to see your sarcastic face or your body language which helps interpret what you are really saying. Be clear and concise in an email so there can be no misinterpretation of what you are really trying to convey.

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