How to Use Email Ettiquette

Have you ever been misunderstood based on an email that you've sent? Has a close friend ever screamed at you through email? Do you capitalize your words for emphasis or by accident? Learn how to use email etiquette and you will forever be understood.

Things You'll Need

• An email account

Instructions

How to Use Email Etiquette

1. Start your email with a salutation. Whether sending a detailed letter to a coworker or a quick email to your best friend, a pleasant salutation makes a world of difference. Take the time out to say “Hi, hello or dear.”

2. Only use capitalization when necessary. Capitalization can be misconstrued as the sender emphasizing something and that might not be the case, especially when you’re a sending an emotional email. It appears that the sender is screaming at you if caps are used. Remember that simple questions such as, “Are you coming or not?” when capitalized seem as though you the writer is being extremely forward or rude or demanding. This type of question, when capitalized, may leave the recipient feeling rushed to make a decision.

3. Reply to your emails. Replying to emails shows that you are reading what the sender is saying. Unanswered emails may be read by the recipient, but it gives the notion that they are unread if you don't reply. A simple response such as. "Yes" "Sure" "No, thank you" or "Possibly" are acceptable replies.

4. Reread your emails before sending them. This includes the recipient's email address. Rereading your email helps you edit misspelled words, grammar and punctuation. It also gives you the opportunity to reword something that needs to be clarified.

5. Add a subject to your emails. The subject area gives the recipient an idea of what is in the body of the email. Subject lines are critical, especially when the email needs to be read immediately. Keep this in mind. Try not to leave the subject area blank if you have an emergency.

Tips & Warnings

• Reread your emails. Make sure they make sense.

• Use proper grammar and punctuation.

• Be courteous when responding to an email that you don’t understand. When read, emails can have a totally different meaning from what was intended. Use email etiquette by replying to the sender. Ask them to clarify or explain.

• Long emails should be formatted paragraph style. This makes the tone of the email understandable, as well as easier to read.

• Only use the "caps lock key" when you really want to get your point across.

• Create a standard signature for all emails.

• Be cautious of the reply to all function.

• Remember that emails can be forwarded. Use the telephone, if you have a personal issue that needs to be addressed! Protect yourself by speaking in private instead of writing.