Seriously, the very few situations in which this is really necessary do not compensate for the hassle it causes when it is misused.
That way the reader can immediately decide on the priority of the message (and you should not lie and write “URGENT” if it’s not). Moreover, if the subject line is enough to convey your message, it is ok to leave the rest empty.
Big ones may fill up their inbox and cause other incoming messages to bounce. Use any of the many cloud services to send large files.
Without facial expressions, a tone of voice and other non-verbal elements to convey your intention, the gaps may be filled in unintended ways and the words interpreted very differently. Whatever you do, never ever send an email when your fuming.
Avoid an informal tone in an email if you would not be comfortable using it in person. Also, make sure you always use and adequate opening and closing salutation and thank the recepient when you request something, even a reply.
Besides eliminating typos and other mistakes that may jeopardize your image, you should make sure that you’ve been clear, concise and effective in communicating your message, that there is no room for misunderstandings and, more importantly, that it is truly necessary for it to be sent.
Not only is this courteous, but it is also much better for you if you don’t procrastinate. Let’s face it: the more you wait, the more there’ll be waiting for you.
If you are not certain the people you are writing to have each other’s email address, keep them hidden.
To avoid inadvertently sending the email before it is ready or, worse, to the wrong person.
Unless you are truly in a life or death situation, do not even think of sending the same message by text message, email, twitter, facebook…
refrain: stop oneself from doing something.
hassle: irritating inconvenience, problem, bother.
explanatory: serving to explain something, descriptive.
convey: to communicate through words or action, to transport
bounce: move back or away from a surface after hitting it.
fuming: very angry
proofread: read to verify and correct errors
to run (a program): to start, launch or execute a program
typos: an error in spelling in typed material
jeopardize: put in a situation in which there is a danger of loss, harm, or failure.
inadvertently: without knowing or realizing
courteous: polite, kind
procrastinate: delay or postpone action; put off doing something.
Lem…xo
This post was written by Ines, who really must remember rule #6!