Business email isn’t always composed at your desk and sent out after a careful spell check. Today, email can be sent via your smart phone, iPad or other device; messages are shorter, slang is more prevalent and emoticons have replaced proper punctuation. Needless to say, it may be time for a quick email etiquette refresher.
Below are five common “on the go” email faux pas to avoid:
- Omitting the greeting. It’s easy to overlook including a greeting when responding to an email via your mobile device. Don’t make this mistake – instead, take the time and effort to start your email off with a personal greeting, using the person’s name.
- Using texting abbreviations or slang. Using your phone to text a friend is different than corresponding with a client or your boss. Don’t assume your boss will know that “LOL” means Laugh Out Loud, versus Lots of Love! Keep your email to the point and professional.
- Failing to set-up your full email signature. Refer to the “settings” on your mobile device to customize your email signature. First and last name, title, business phone and website should all be included (in addition to the “sent from my iPhone/iPad” default if applicable).
- Responding via mobile device when the matter is not urgent. Avoid the temptation to read and respond to all emails within minutes. Balancing your work life, family life and personal time without checking email at every “ding” can be a challenge. Don’t become another iPhone addict.
- Grammar and spelling mistakes. Be sure to take the extra few minutes to read over your email before you hit “send.” If spell check is not turned on, refer to the email settings on your mobile device to activate this feature. Auto spell check can also be dangerous, especially if you aren’t taking that extra minute to re-read your response. Typing “to” when you meant to type “do” can completely change the meaning of your message. And that’s a best case auto-correct scenario!
Being tech-savvy with your mobile communication device is an important part of your personal brand. Taking the extra few seconds (or even minutes) to show courtesy and professionalism when composing email “on-the-go” is a wise use of your time.
About the Author:
Diane Gottsman is a national etiquette expert and a popular "go to" resource to the modern executive. She travels nationally teaching corporations and universities in the finer points of manners and protocol. Diane is the owner of The Protocol School of Texas and the resident etiquette expert on a successful morning television show, SA Living, an NBC television affiliate. She is routinely quoted in national media outlets such as Real Simple, HGTV Magazine, The New York Times, CNN, Bloomberg Business Week, U.S. News & World Report, CBS Money Watch, Kiplinger's and Forbes. The latter publication previously named her blog one of the "Top 100 Websites for Women."
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