Don't send unsolicited sales information/commercial emails. Unsolicited commercial emails, or spam, are becoming an increasing problem and many organizations are blocking, deleting, and in many cases reporting senders of these emails to various anti-spam services and search engines in an effort to curtail sender's efforts.

Check your emails for spilling n' grammer...er...spelling and grammar. A minor typographical error in a lengthy email will generally go unnoticed, but a series of typographical, spelling, and grammatical errors will indicate a lack of professionalism and has potential to cost you business.

Many email programs, such as Microsoft Outlook, include spelling and grammar tools to ensure that mistakes are kept to a minimum. If you do not have an email program with these tools activated, then alternatively you can open up your favourite word processor; type your email; check it for mistakes; and then copy and paste it into your email program.

Respond to all emails within 24-48 hours. If you cannot answer your customer's question in this time period, at least send him/her an email letting them know status of his/her inquiry and that it is being taken care of. Some things do take longer than one day to resolve, and vast majority of customers are very understanding of this, as long as they're kept apprised of situation.

Depending on your level of familiarity with your customers, some of these rules can be relaxed and altered to meet their specific needs. However, adhering to these general guidelines will ensure that, more often than not, you will become an effective email communicator.

Adam Senour is the owner of ADAM Web Design, a leading web design and development company in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

They would like to transfer this huge sum of money to your personal bank account (lucky you?) You as owner of bank account are promised a large percentage of their millions!

Next, they might request you send them your bank account info, a copy of your business letterhead, your business card. Many will then ask victim to send good old American Dollars to cover transfer taxes in advance!

These Internet Fraud Artist are very adept at baiting a hook, tossing out a line, and reeling in potential victims. If you receive one of their fraudulent email pleas for help contact your local authorities or email provider immediately.

Signs Of An Email Scam Follow:

1. Any deal too good to be true. 2. Email originates from Ghana, Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Europe. 3. Letters claiming ties to high ranking government officials. 4. Request for advance payment in US dollars for transfer fees. 5. Request for personal banking information. 6. Statements you have a undisclosed mutual friend.

People Most susceptible To Scams:

1. People looking to get rich quick. 2. Naive types. 3. Newbs online. 4. The Elderly.

Take time to pass information on to defeat Internet fraud artist. Only through education, awareness, and taking responsibility will these fraud artist be stopped.

______________________________________________________ BB Lee is editor/publisher of SmallBizBits Business Newsletter. Subscribe Now for information on starting a business at home. mailto:Smallbiz-subscribe@topica.com http://www.smallbizbitsnews.com