Do you ever wonder if your e-mails are acceptable for work? Or do you forget things when sending out e-mails? Here’s a little checklist to make sure your message isn’t bothersome and won’t warrant an eye-roll when your name shows up in inboxes.

Be Polite
Start off all e-mails with a salutation and end with a proper valediction. Make sure to use your please and thank-you’s as well as the correct title for people you do not know well or have not met before.

Appropriateness
Be professional in your e-mails. Refrain from slang, abbreviations and emoticons. Although you might believe that the message will stay internal, once it is in the electronic world, it might get forwarded and your name will be attached. Do not use work e-mail for forwarding funny e-mails or for personal conversations. Also avoid sarcasm or demands, make sure your words can’t be misconstrued because there is no tone to e-mail.

Frequency & Length
Be concise and get to the point. If necessary you can bullet point your e-mail to make it easier to read. Save bold fonts and color text to highlight really important things. Also if you are e-mailing within the office, some things are easier to deal with in person than sending a lengthy e-mail.

Attachments, CC’ing and BCC’ing
First, if you say you will attach something, check to make sure you’ve attached it! Along with that, do not attach unnecessary documents that can weigh your message down. With the threat of viruses, recipients are less likely to open several attachments. Put as much as possible in the body of the e-mail and attach additional items. Carbon Copy known recipients and save Blind Carbon Copies for those you wish to remain unseen. If you are blasting a laundry list, make sure you BCC them and simply send the e-mail to yourself.

Check & Double Check
Check your spelling, not just the body of the text but the name of the recipient and your own name. Leave the “To:” field empty until the message is proofread and you are 110% ready to send it off. This will minimize e-mails you have to send out correcting yourself.

By following these 5 tips when sending business or personal
e-mails you will help your professional image as well as avoid any crisis landmines if your e-mail ends up in the wrong hands!