Business E-mail Etiquette: The One Thing That Matters

Hope everyone is gearing up for a busy and prosperous New Year! Regardless of the economy and all the crazy stuff going on, remember, your future is in your control to control. I’m a “glass half full” kind of gal — so when the going get’s tough — I look at that as a challenge — which is what the year ahead will be for all of us.

And one thing you can control is how you use e-mail for commercial gain.

At the beginning of each year I am contacted by reporters writing “resolution” articles. They contact me in December and throughout January to help them with the issues they deal with and want to pass on to their readers. And, I am always available to be of service and lend my perspective.

The one question that kept coming up this year was:

“If there is one thing that business e-mailers need to consider that matters above all the other tips you offer at BusinessEmailEtiquette.com, what would that be?”

And my answer? To take your time!

Take your time creating an apropos Subject:.
Take your time to include a personal greeting that reflects the proper level of formality.
Take your time to review your message and ensure it relays the necessary intent and tone.
Take your time to make sure your message is typo free and integrates proper sentence structure and grammar.
Take your time to have an courteous closing that reflects the formality of the e-mail and your name properly typed.
Take your time to make sure your signature file is short, sweet and typo free.
Take your time to respond to e-mails as promptly as possible.

I could go on… But you get the idea! The primary reason otherwise educated and credible professionals are not taken as seriously as they would like is because the don’t take their time when composing their business e-mail communications.

Taking your time is time well spent!