On the Need to Know
Avoid sending a message to a group unless every member of that group actually needs the information you are presenting. Also, when replying to a large group email only use the “Reply to All” button if everyone on the group list needs to know your reply
No surprises please
Use the Subject line to let people know what your email is about. Using a good subject line also helps people organize and find your email later.
There Are no secrets
Please keep in mind that you are a representative of an organization when you answer email at work. Every email you send using your work account could be classified as a “public record.” If you don’t want your slightly off-color happy birthday email to your cousin in Alaska to be published in the local newspaper don’t send it using your work email account.
Never email when angry or emotional: Once you send an email message you can’t take it back. Before you send a fiery response to that parent who just insulted your mother, take a breath, relax and think it through. Here’s a rule of thumb: Never email anything to someone that you wouldn’t be willing to tell them in person, in a public place, while being scrutinized by 50 newspaper reporters who routinely criticize people in your profession.
DON’T SHOUT AT ME
Using all capital letters in an email is understood to be the same as shouting.
