Sarcasm with the written word is skill; a skill many of us do not have. The problem is using sarcasm in your business e-mail can be incorrectly perceived as being rude, terse or worse. If you are not careful, that sarcasm can be amplified by a … [Read more...]
How to Write Succinct, Efficient and Effective Emails
Your business e-mails are not the venue for rambling random unorganized questions or your latest overly wordy sales pitch or manifesto. In business time is money and efficiency matters. Study after study proves out that long e-mails do not get … [Read more...]
Forums & Blogs Not the Place to be Incognito
When it comes to forums, blog comments or message boards, using a nick-name or "handle" is an accepted practice. Many times these nick-names reflect your industry, hobby or interests. In these venues that is just fine for personal discussions -- … [Read more...]
Using “…” at the End of Sentences in Email
What does ... really mean? As my regular readers know, I constantly remind folks to use proper sentence structure and grammar when composing their emails. I pretty much leave it at that -- I am not a grammar writer or an English language major. … [Read more...]
BEWARE: Red Means Red!
Today's Tip is a Short and Sweet Reminder! In the last several weeks, I've received emails asking what is meant when an email is received with only certain text purposely changed to red. How mad are they? Why use red? How should I … [Read more...]
Using Quotation Marks for Emphasis?
A site visitor writes: Is it acceptable to emphasize a point in an email with quotes? For example: The people on the Board are "elected" not appointed. Anything you can do to ensure your intent and the meaning of your comments come through as … [Read more...]
Why You Should Down-edit Instead of Top Post in Email Responses
I was complimented twice recently about how I respond to emails. Both clients who mentioned this loved the fact that I responded point by point to their inquiries instead of just hitting reply and top posting. One commenting that they knew exactly … [Read more...]
Adding Emphasis Without Shouting (and Embarrassing Yourself)
Has this ever happened to you? You check your email and there awaits an email with select text in caps. Then, parts of the text are actually changed to the color red! What are they so upset about? What did I do, didn't do, say, didn't say? … [Read more...]
Little Details: Spelling Names Correctly
Several site visitors have asked for advice in regard to the incorrect spelling of their names by those who email them. They are concerned that their names are being spelled wrong, (or they are being addressed by a version of their name they simply … [Read more...]
Don’t Overreact Based on Assumptions
I post a lot about my experiences with other onliners to share how email can potentially affect how you are perceived. Running this site and many others, I am probably more exposed than most in regard to the number of inquiries and "personalities" I … [Read more...]
Email From: Field Display Matters!
I get emails from other business onliners where the From: field is not set up properly or to its full advantage. Every day. Two this morning which prompted this post. Why is the From: field so important? From branding to perceptions, those you … [Read more...]
Responding to Others Misfortune
So many of us are now doing business online. Technology has become tightly integrated into our business activities and tools, with email now one of your primary relationship building tools. The Human on the Other Side of the Screen Showing … [Read more...]
- 1
- 2
- 3
- …
- 7
- Next Page »