| E-mails, one of the many ways we now communicate | | | | “Sincerely”, “Best regards”, and the list |
| to one another. They are sent worldwide to everyone | | | | goes on endlessly. Each sign off will say something |
| we know all just with the simple click of a button. We | | | | different about you, so pick wisely. This goes hand in |
| send letters, notes, contracts, attachments, updates, | | | | hand with your writing style. Do not use capital letters |
| jokes, and chain mails. It’s become more popular | | | | in an email message; it comes across as shouting and |
| than the telephone in many ways. With tonality being | | | | aggressive. |
| taken out of the equation and being left with merely | | | | When sending e-mails, it’s also important to |
| the words we type; it’s crucial to ensure you come | | | | address the person you’re mailing, rather than just |
| across with warmth, etiquette and class. Do you know | | | | beginning your reply or message. Remember, people |
| how you are perceived in your e-mails? | | | | want the personal touch. This includes getting the |
| Like many business professionals, I receive an unlimited | | | | individuals name right. There are countless times |
| amount of e-mails every day. Time is of the essence | | | | I’ve sent e-mails to people where their reply begins |
| so I can reply to everyone and give them the | | | | with “Christine” (or something similar) rather than |
| information they are looking for...sound familiar for the | | | | my actually name, Christie. Pay attention to details. |
| rest of you out there? But no one will ever be able to | | | | Ensure that you have the subject box filled so the |
| accuse me of being short or rude on my e-mails. | | | | sender knows in what the mails regarding. This will help |
| Why? Because I personalize them. This is a crucial | | | | busy professionals prioritize what is sent to them. With |
| factor that so many people miss. There are so many | | | | that in mind, also be respectful of time; do not send |
| electronic exchanges we all make with individuals | | | | email chain letters. They can automatically put the |
| we’ve never met before. I’m certainly no | | | | recipients on “junk email” lists. Something that |
| exception. However, I’m always appalled by | | | | often goes along with chain emails are people that use |
| individuals that are not only short, but curt in their | | | | “cute backgrounds” for their e-mails. Plain and |
| e-mails. Not only this, but they have no sign off in their | | | | simple, it’s unprofessional; avoid it at all costs (unless |
| e-mail, and simply place their name. It’s one thing to | | | | you want to send it out in personal mails). |
| be to the point; but it’s another to be rude. With | | | | Who said that e-mails between professionals had to |
| face to face interaction missing from e-mails, it’s | | | | be stuffy? Don’t be afraid to show your warmth, |
| difficult to determine someone’s intent and tone in | | | | personality and passion for what you do and for the |
| an e-mail. Because of this, simple things like | | | | person you’re communicating with. As Carl |
| signature’s and sign offs are important. There are | | | | Beuchner once said, “They may forget what you |
| many different ones you can use, “Warmest | | | | said, but they will never forget how you made them |
| wishes”, “Best”, “Warmly”, | | | | feel. |
| “Cheers”, “All the best”, | | | | |