Email Business Etiquette! by BB Lee (C)2002Email etiquette is fundamental stuff...for most Online Business people. In fact, think of how you respond to Online messages as important image management. Handling your messages
correct way will make you appear professional while building your reputation Online as a responsive, attentive, business person, who really cares about his customers. In long run this will surely build your "rep" and your income.
Researchers estimate up to 75% of business people Online do not use good email etiquette. They risk their Online messages seeming rude, offensive, blatant sales pitches, or plain annoying. Here are a few suggestions to adapt to your situation.
1. Keep an open line of communication running between you and your customers or subscribers. Post your contact information in clear view on your web page. This will make it easier for people to email you if they have questions or problems.
2. Answer all important email within a 48 hour period. If you don't this would be considered poor business practice or just plain rude. 3. Do not respond to angry email with like behavior. You have much better things to do than start a "flame war." Instead ignore their remarks and block their messages using your email program. Or simply let them have last word. This will prompt an immediate end.
4. I've seen this far too many times. Do not respond to an email message in all capitals packed with exclamation points. This is rude and very unprofessional. I don't know about you, but all capitals LOOKS LIKE SCREAMING TO ME!!!!!!
5. Spell check all your email before hitting send button. Why risk a bunch of typo's turning off a potential customer? Most email programs have a spell check included. Use it! 6. Don't answer a client's email with a dozen affiliate links at bottom of your message. Do I have to explain this one? This marketing method is prone to backfire and turn off potential customer's and subscribers.
