Email E-tiquette

The Times recently published an excellent article on email etiquette that I wanted to share with you. For most students and professionals alike these points will come as second nature to you. For others however (and my experience has not always been good) they may benefit from this articles advice. It infuriates me for instance when people fail to start or end their emails courteously. I.e. they launch straight into the point of the email without acknowledging me or in some cases telling me who they are. That's just plain RUDE and not a great way to start or continue a professional relationship. Similarly I wrote a comment on email signatures and how they can be useful as part of a wider personal branding strategy a while back in my blog. I'm always surprised with the lack of professional detail appended to emails. Market yourselves please and use every opportunity to do so. Finally, word of advice on email addresses them selves. imaschmuck@gmail.com may be funny whilst you're at college, please leave it there though. Professionalize that email address as soon as possible – potential employers wont find it funny.

Dr Hair is an Associate Professor of Marketing at the E Philip Saunders College of Business at RIT.

© 2006, Dr Neil Hair. All rights reserved.