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Business Communications - What about communicating effectively via e-mail?

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E-mail is a great tool for keeping in touch, corresponding quickly, and sharing information with several people at once. Unfortunately, e-mail doesn�t offer intonation, body language, gestures, or a two-way communication style that can clear up miscommunications. To make sure your message comes across clearly via e-mail, try to:

Think through your message. E-mail is quick, sometimes too quick. Think through your message before composing or sending the e-mail to make sure what you�re saying is accurate, clear, helpful, and necessary. How will your readers interpret what you�ve written? Does the message come across kindly, or is there a way it could be misconstrued as a negative message?

Remember that your words last forever in print. It�s easy and very common for people to keep your e-mails for �proof� for later conversations. And anything you write can be forwarded to countless others, posted on the Internet, or otherwise used against you. One more reason to think before you write.

Write short. People often don�t take time to read long e-mails, especially if they�re written in a messy, wandering style. Give the information, ask for action, if appropriate, and end on a kind note. Save longer messages for memos, attachments, or in-person meetings.

Using all capital letters is akin to yelling at a person. Don�t do it!

Include a subject line. Let your reader know what the message is about before you dive right in. This will let the reader prepare mentally for your message, and decide when the best time is to handle your e-mail.

Proofread your document before you send it. Too many spelling errors will turn readers off, and your message will never get through.

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