Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Email Etiquette

This blog is my reply to an article I read for my Online Journalism Class.
The link is below.

http://www.emailreplies.com/#gender

I have always thought it smart to use etiquette not only at work but in everyday life. I could be walking down the street and meet someone who jump starts my career or be at a dinner and meet a new dear friend. When I think of work etiquette I think of working with customers or clients face to face but this reading brought new light to the etiquette of e-mailing. I know it is important to use proper spelling and grammar as well as not to use quirky abbreviations. Here are some interesting ideas that I had never thought of before.

1. Add disclaimers to your e-mails. It shouldn’t surprise me with the alternate reality that exists online that people say things purposefully or not that can drag companies and individuals into lawsuits. Another point they made was if I have a disclaimer and accidentally forward a virus that also gives an advantage. Disclaimers can really “save your hind,” as my mother would say.

2. CC and BCC. Before reading the article I didn’t really know what those did besides give more space to add contacts in a mass message. When people don’t think the e-mail is intended specifically for them they don’t feel valued and might not even read it. I know that if I receive a mass e-mail if the heading doesn’t spark my interest it goes straight to the recycling bin. It would be devastating if an important client didn’t get an e-mail because I was too lazy to personalize it.

3. Keeping language gender neutral. This one I don’t think is as important as the author made it out to be. So what if the e-mail says “his computer” instead of “the computer” when I know the computer belongs to Bill. I don’t see that remark as sexist at all. The author must have thought it important though so I’ll probably look at it again.


-Melanie Fenn

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