Understanding and practicing
the basics of professional, online etiquette may make or break your Internet
relationship with others.
Times change and so do methods
of communication. At the moment, there is a need for proper etiquette on the Internet when it comes to e-mail. While online communication via e-mail is still in a state of transition, so is
online etiquette. Because so many business people now correspond online via e-mail and
with many baby boomers and retired people pursuing online upgrading in order to be able to correspond online, appropriate etiquette is becoming increasingly important.
The article “Online etiquette” offers suggestions for students and
teachers regarding online etiquette in their correspondence. Consider the
following guidelines for online etiquette also.
Respect your online
correspondent.
Treat your online correspondent
with respect, at all times. In turn, he or she will treat you with respect, too. For
example, in terms of e-mail etiquette, do not use all capital letters as your
correspondent may think that you are yelling at him or her. If you are using
capital letters for emphasis, does he or she understand that?
Be careful what you say and how
you state it.
To convey the correct message
to your correspondent, your choice of words is important. Always be polite. For
example, use words like please and thank you to give your online correspondent
a good impression. Avoid the excessive use of emoticons, symbols and
abbreviations, as not everyone interprets them the same way. What may seem to
be fun to you, may appear offensive or regarded as swearing by your online
correspondent.
Use caution with the use of
names and online addresses.
Make certain that the names and
online addresses of your correspondents are correct, as you do not want to
offend anyone with whom you are communicating online. Remember that e-mail communication can be misdirected, go astray or get lost. Others may gain access
to it, so caution when sending it is important.
Include your name and online
address.
Identifying yourself correctly
will increase the likelihood of receiving a response. Include your name and
online address in your online correspondence. When there is an error of some
kind in your name or online address, correct it and apologize.
Make a timely response.
If possible, make a timely
response. Your online correspondent will appreciate your promptness in replying
and you will appreciate his or her timeliness of response, too.
Deal with the topic under
discussion.
In any online correspondence,
always stay on the topic under discussion. Make certain that the person with
whom you are corresponding understands what you are referring to in your e-mail. Ask for clarification if you do not understand something. Avoid
excessive verbiage. Keep your correspondence to an appropriate length and do
not send more online correspondence than necessary.
Online communication does not
differ from other kinds of communication, but sent electronically, it is faster.
Basic rules of online, non-verbal communication etiquette are always applicable
and important.
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