Top Email Blunders [Poll]

Each morning, I see email missteps in my inbox. Is it because folks are not awake yet? Or maybe they are in a rush? Maybe have your coffee first.

Then, as the day goes on, more trickle in. I then thought, I bet others run into these things too, so why not share some of them with you as a gentle reminder that these little things can enhance (or hinder) your communications while helping build relationships and clarity.

Annoying Email Missteps

No greeting. How about saying “Hi, Judith” or “Howdy!” before you ramble off your demands or questions?
Even adding a little “Hope you are doing well!”, “How have you been?” or “I hear your weather has been crazy!” helps you avoid appearing overly self-involved. Closings are part of relationship building.
Please don’t open a previous email, hit reply, and include a set of unrelated questions that don’t match the old email’s Subject Field. Add me to your address book so that you can start a new email with a subject appropriate to the new topic. And please delete or edit out my old email reply text that doesn’t apply. Don’t include the entire old email if it has nothing to do with what you’re typing now.
Saying “thank you” or “appreciate your help” after 4-5 questions in a row would be a nice touch.
Before sending 15 PDF attachments or humongous image files, email or call first to ask when would be a good time to send them (or even if I need or want them), rather than sending them without notice.
When the questions you are asking have already been answered in a previous email, do not be offended if I ask whether you received it. I want to be sure you are receiving my communications.
Proper sentence structure and grammar go a long way toward being taken seriously and toward helping others understand your intent or request with less back-and-forth. This also helps to avoid misunderstandings. Be clear in your communications; you will be taken at your word. “I didn’t mean that” doesn’t apply to the written word. You type it; you had better mean it.

I guess I still have my work cut out for me here and on BusinessEmailEtiquette.com.

Over to You — Take My Poll

What is the most frustrating thing about your email experience? I know there are probably more than one, but let’s nail down the most annoying thing. What do you think?