Privacy

Keep e-mail confidential because it can easily be copied, forwarded, or sent to the wrong address.

The reply all button responds to the sending address, cc and bcc addresses. Be careful not to reply all.

Double check the address bar before sending to make sure you do not send, cc, bcc, or forward it to the wrong address. Remember, the recipient may save it, this can help you filter what you are writing.

Effective Communication

Use the inverted pyramid writing style because some people do not read the whole e-mail.

The subject establishes the central point. The body provides the details. Put the most important information first. Follow with supporting info. This way, they get the point if they only read the first line.

To: Field for the person or persons you want to act on an e-mail because it addresses them.

CC: Field for for the people who may need to know the information in the e-mail (fyi 'ers and cya'ers) because it is a 'carbon copy'.

BCC: Field for bulk messages because it is a 'blind carbon copy' hiding the addresses.

E-mail Netiquette

1. Spell check and proof read e-mail before sending it because errors make you look uneducated.
   Spell check & proof read
2. Do not use all caps in an e-mail because it is shouting. Do not use all caps
3. Do not send e-mail flames because it gives you a bad reputation. Do not flame
4. Be conservative in e-mail you send and liberal in what you receive since quality is better than quantity.
   Be conservative
5. Do not send e-mail late at night because it may call your lifestyle into question.
   Do not send e-mail late at night
6. Know where your sending an e-mail because you could send one to an entire group by mistake.
   Know who your sending it to
7. Keep messages short because they are often read on cell phones and other small devices.  Use abbreviations. Keep messages short
8. Put 'long' in the subject line if an e-mail is long to let the recipient know. Put 'long' in the subject if its long
9. Avoid attachments with information that can fit in the body because they are a security risk.
   Avoid attachments
10. Ask before sending large attachments because they are banned on many networks.
    Do not send large attachments
    
    

Professional E-mail Netiquette

1. E-mail from company addresses are company communication because it is the their domain.
2. Do not look for a job from your company address, use a free e-mail account for your job search.
3. Check your e-mail when you start, before lunch, and before you leave in case you get an urgent message.
4. Check the subject line of unread e-mails before responding to one because it may be obsolete.
5. Give people a chance to respond before assuming they ignored you because e-mail is not immediate.
6. Send automatic out of office reminders when your gone in case you get a time sensitive e-mail.
7. It is ok to resend an e-mail with a reminder because some people need to be reminded to respond.
8. If you cannot respond right away send an expected reply time because someone may be waiting for it.
9. Do not e-mail jokes because they can be misunderstood.
10. Include a signature with your address and phone number for credibility.
11. E-mail signatures should be no more than four lines because they distract from the message.
12. Do not send unsolicited e-mail because it is illegal, annoying, and unethical.
13. If you get an informal e-mail do not be informal too because your reputation is still at stake.
14. Use proper salutations and introductions because it shows respect.