Spammers who need fresh email addresses release software spider programs that comb Internet and suck email addresses off Web pages, guest books, and anywhere else you might post your email address.

Once they get your email address, spammers will trade it around like 5th graders with a new pack of Pokemon cards at recess and you can expect avalanche of email to begin flooding your inbox.

In order to combat this still rampant practice of stealing email addresses from websites and sending people email they don't want, following tips should help protect you.

** Break It Up **

Obviously best way to avoid getting picked up by an email harvester is not to post your email anywhere on anyone's website (including your own).

If only way someone can get your email is if you give it to them, that creates a similar situation to operating with an unlisted phone number.

If telemarketers can't get your phone number, they can't call.

If you must post your email address, post it in a way that a robot won't recognize it as an email address. Instead of posting YOURNAME@YOURDOMAIN.COM, you can put YOURNAME (AT) YOURDOMAIN.COM and then, in parenthesis, put (replace AT with @ to email me).

Though it seems like an extra step for legitimate email, you'll find it a very effective technique.

** Use An Image **

1. Read other person's email several times before writing your reply. Sometimes in our hurry to get things done, we glaze over important details and miss message. Are you asking questions that someone already took their precious time to answer first time around? Did you MISS their questions that require a response? Slow down, take your time, be thorough! Your clients will be glad for specialized attention and great service.

2. Always include contact information at end of your email. Even if you've talked to this person a thousand times before, they'll always appreciate easy access to your full company name, email address, phone and fax number. You want referrals, right? Think of how simple it will be for them to pass along your info to a new customer if it's right before their eyes!

3. Never assume that someone doesn't know something. Sure, you're a storehouse of handy information, but it's a little arrogant to assume that no one else on planet knows what you know. If you want to offer an impromptu tutorial, great. But do tack on a friendly intro such as: "Maybe you already know this but," or "Ever try such-and-such?" If they haven't, they can say, "No... but thanks for new ideas!" If they have, they can respond with an enthusiastic, "Yes I have, and I love it!"