This document provides guidance on best practices for email etiquette. It discusses topics such as using an appropriate font and size, avoiding all capital letters, keeping emails concise and to one screen, carefully using CC and BCC functions, proofreading emails before sending, and being considerate of others' time by minimizing emails when possible conversations could happen in person. The document emphasizes focusing emails on the topic at hand, adding value for recipients, and determining a boss's communication preferences to ensure effective dialogue.
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Email Etiquette June 23
1. Basics of Email Etiquette Best Practices June 23, 2011 Presented by: Project Mgmt Success Team Pete J. and Keith K.
2. Agenda Welcome and Introductions Where is it going? Lettering font and size Email Handles All Caps Da Boss Email length and size Thank Yous CCing people Think Value Add Too Many emails Dos and Donts Proof reading Q & A
3. Welcome Logistics Cell phones set for stun Promatch - Safe Environment Interactive discussion
4. UCLA Communications Study Human Communications Effectiveness 7% of meaning in the words that are spoken. 38% of meaning is paralinguistic (the way that the words are said and the tone used). 55% of meaning is in facial expression. Albert Mehrabian, Prof Emeritus, UCLA (mid 1990s)
5. Lettering Lettering font style and size Cambria , Arial or Times New Roman Note. Arial saves the most printer ink Size 10, or 11
6. All Capitalized Letters ALL CAPITALIZED LETTERS Used for emphasis Also used for shouting and/or hollering But, tough to read and irritating; the human eye wants to read word skylines Avoid use of all caps, unless a point of emphasis is intended, then use judiciously because of possible emotional impact and unwanted interpretation(s) Stay away from the use of all caps
7. Email Length and Size Size Less than one full screen The less sentences, the more powerful and effective the message More than one full screen can be upsetting Do not use for conversational dialogue Ask permission and prepare the reader (for long emails)
8. CCing Who has been addressed and copied? Think before hitting reply or reply to all reply to all can lead to trouble, if not careful See previous item about email length Stay away from unsolicited use of bcc Can cause unwanted politics and intrigue Good bcc philosophy to follow: 1. Dont use bcc 2. If you do, dont bcc me.
9. Too Many (emails) Too many back and forth? More than two, can lead to mis-interpretation or mis-understanding Know when to stop sending emails and visit the person, or; phone and call the person Or, do nothing (e.g. no reply/answer) Note: Allow boss last word (e.g. final email)
10. Where is it going? Where and to whom? Note: May get forwarded or passed around, so: Nothing personal (others in the world may see it) Be focused, on topic (subject) Proof-read your addressee list, one final time If a mistake is made; own up to it and apologize quickly to everyone (before it goes viral)
11. Proof-Reading email Before sending, take break from PC to clear head Proof read what is written Edit as required, correct punctuation Use spell check Use less words and sentences Communicate message more effectively
12. Email Handles Professional and non-controversial name or handle: [email_address] Careful with pseudonyms; possibly controversial handles: gocal@yahoo.com unprofessional handles: [email_address]
13. Subject Line Select topic name for subject line Reply function (Re:) Reply to recipient(s) Maintains same subject line topic For answering question or replying to specifics Forward function (Fwd:) To new recipients Maintains same subject line topic To forward information and/or attachment Use new topic (on subject line) when appropriate
14. Email Thank Yous Appropriate after an interview or a service has been performed Not necessary when a reply is furnished Be conscious of bandwidth waste and peoples email inbox Un-necessary thank yous with no added value Use phone or F2F thank you Use text message
15. Da Boss Determine boss communication preferences: a Reader, or a Listener How should problems be communicated, first? Use boss style, not your style. Aknowledgements to emails/texts expected? Build communication, trust and confidence in your boss for you
16. Think Value-Add How does this email add value to the dialogue? Can I send additional value-add document? Goal of Social Media in work environment: need to contain value, share information Stay away from frivolity and personal info e.g. avoid bandwidth waste
17. Email Dos Do be considerate of others time & inbox Minimize number of emails Keep emails short & less than a full screen Proof-read emails before sending Avoid final email, if you can talk to people Watch use of acronyms
18. Email Donts Stay away from all caps Stay away from reply to all (unless needed) Do not use for conversational dialogue Dont bcc Dont write/send email when emotional Dont email locally, if you can talk to people Stay away from uncommon acronyms Stay away from vulgarity Stay away from flaming others
#3: Introduce your partner (neighbor) Name Professional background Do they have an online presence? Y/N Which app? (LinkedIn; Facebook; Twitter; blogs?) One reason most OR least comfortable with Social Media app? Hope to get our of workshop?
#4: Introduce your partner (neighbor) Name Professional background Do they have an online presence? Y/N Which app? (LinkedIn; Facebook; Twitter; blogs?) One reason most OR least comfortable with Social Media app? Hope to get our of workshop?
#5: Email uses only 7% of our communications abilities.
#6: Font style not as important as proper font sizing (must be easy to read)
#7: Where do you fit on the scale of skeptic to believer? 1 is for those who dont think its any use at all for job searches and 5 is for those who are certain its a great tool to add to your toolbox for job searching. NOTE: LOTS OF INFORMATION DONT PANIC!
#9: Your own blog, contribute to someone elses blog, add your profile to Google and to Yahoo, make sure you have a good Linked In presence. List on flip chart.
#13: 5 minutes (list on flip chart) Ideas: complete google and yahoo profiles, blog, join the board of an association, contribute to others blogs, write articles, contribute to papers, tweet, website, add your blog/website, etc to LinkedIn, etc.
#15: Branding can include discussions with groups on LinkedIn & Facebook; Blogs
#19: Sign up for a job channel ask for a volunteer. Drop this exercise if short of time.