Contact: Pat McDermott (800) 800-5129 e-mail: pat@qmr.com

"Netiquette" Practices 10 Tips on Using E-mail Appropriately

Read and respond to your e-mail daily. Reply to all messages, if possible, even if it means that you acknowledge the receipt of the message with just a few words.

Create e-mail messages with the same care you do formal and informal written business correspondence. Remember, your e-mail message can end up in the hands of people other than the intended recipient.

Express yourself carefully in your e-mail communications. Remember, it is more difficult for a person to know the intention of your message when they can't see your body language or hear your voice.

Don't pass someone else's message on to others without their permission. Also, never take what someone else has written and use it without acknowledgment or permission.

Always acknowledge who you are when sending e-mail. Never pose as someone else.

Keep your e-mail messages brief. Messages that need to be scrolled are too lengthy. Longer messages are best sent as attached files.

Fill in the subject field of your e-mail message. This allows the receiver to recognize the content and importance of your message.

Don't send abusive or defamatory messages. Remember, laws that govern written communication apply to e-mail.

Let individuals know when you aren't available to answer your e-mail, or make arrangements for your e-mail to be forwarded to someone else during your absence.

Remember that sending e-mail is like writing a letter on official letterhead and should reflect well on you and your organization.

The above guidelines are in use by many organizations throughout the world who rely on the Internet and e-mail. These particular practices were adapted from the Code of Practice at Oxford University. They were presented by Alex Reid, director of communications at Oxford.

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