One area where we could all improve is e-mail. With that in mind, here are six e-mail mistakes you should never make:
- Subject Line: Your subject line needs to be specific enough to let the recipient know what's in the e-mail and what action you want them to take. For example: "Important Regarding 2012 Budget: Please respond by Tomorrow." That phrase tells the receiver the message is important, what it's about, and that you need a response by tomorrow.
- Too Long: 20% of all searches are now being done on a mobile device. E-mail messages must be short because people are accessing messages on smartphones and tablets---not just computers. Be brief, get to the point.
- Straightforward and To The Point: Need I say more? This means don't ramble, don't have a long background or history, and most of all---don't be boring. Get to the point.
- Pictures/Graphics: Don't count on your receiver being able to see a picture or graphic if you want them to respond. If the message comes to them on a smartphone, let the text of your e-mail speak for itself, otherwise you may not hear back from your receiver as quickly as you want to.
- NO CAPS! If you want to yell at the receiver (and I hope you don't), do it in person or through a phone call, not by using CAPS.
- Don't Send an E-Mail Message When You Are Angry or Upset: There are millions of people who have wished they never hit the "send" button because they sent an e-mail message out of anger. Wait until you can write a professional e-mail message without risking your reputation.
