Bad email etiquette can send client relations plummeting
Here’s a quote from an article called ‘Yours Truly,’ the E-Variations in today’s New York Times:
Many e-mail users don’t bother with a sign-off, and Letitia Baldridge, the manners expert, finds that annoying. “It’s so abrupt,” she said, “and it’s very unfriendly. We need grace in our lives, and I’m not talking about heavenly grace. I’m talking about human grace. We should try and be warm and friendly.”
I will add that many do not add a “sign on” like “I hope this finds you well” or “It was nice seeing you at the conference. You will recall that I promised to send you a…” or even, “I hope you are having a pleasant day in San Francisco”.
If you want a quick preliminary test of your email etiquette, go to www.netmanners.com and take the Netiquette Quiz.
PUNCHLINE: You work so hard to attract and satisfy clients – make sure your emails are not crafted in a manner that undermines your good efforts.
Great post, Gerry. I would contend though, that you can replace all of the netiquette guides in cyberspace with simply following the golden rule of email: before you press send, spend a moment thinking about the recipient and imagining what they will thing about what you have sent.
I've blogged about it on www.erikmazzone.com.