E-mail is now the primary form of business communication, with 90% of “conversations” happening online. As a result, it’s obviously important that we mind our manners when communicating this way! Keep the following e-mail etiquette tips in mind to make sure you’re on your best behavior when e-mailing.

Write Clear, Meaningful Subject Lines

35% of e-mail recipients open an e-mail based on the subject line alone, so make sure yours gives a compelling, relevant description.

Use Pleasantries

Would you start a face-to-face conversation without greeting the person first? How about marching out the door without saying “thank you” or “goodbye?” You should be using these same simple courtesies in your e-mails.

Use Proper Grammar, Spelling, and Capitalization

Remember that an e-mail to a colleague is not the same as a text to a friend. Also, although spellcheck catches misspelled words, it does not capture misused words (e.g., weather vs. whether).

Proofread Your Message, Including Its Recipient

We’ve all heard the horror stories of someone sending an e-mail to the wrong person – please don’t be that sender!

Be Cautious of Your Tone

E-mails rely solely on your words for interpretation; no facial expressions can be seen, and no vocal inflection can be heard. Reconsider any sarcasm or humor before you hit “send.” 

Use Reply All Sparingly

“Reply to all” should only be used when every single person needs to know your response. 

Take Note That Your Words Are Now In Writing

E-mail isn’t private. Don’t say anything you wouldn’t want to be repeated as a headline in the newspaper. Forwarding an e-mail only takes one click!

The average person receives 147 e-mail messages per day. Let’s make each other’s day a little better by following these simple guidelines and minding our e-mail manners!