E-MAIL WRITTING ETIQUETTE

In business world, e-mails are without doubt, one of the most important forms of communication. In fact, the advent of mobile technology has made e-mails an indispensible tool for sharing information and discussions. The new wave of smart-phone nowadays comes complete with push notification for e-mails, thus ensuring that the modern business person has access to their emails on a 24hrs basis.

A well written e-mail can be an incredibly powerful business tool. As they say, "the pen is mightier than the sword" and in business, what you write and how you write it will almost certainly mean the difference between success and failure.

Poor use of e-mail, however, not recognizing the traps implicit in the immediate response time, can be fatal to clear communications and the writer's reputation. The old rules of writing do not automatically apply to electronic mail. Not quite a formal document, definitely not a voice message, and not quite face-to-face conversation, e-mail has its own set of etiquette guidelines;

Here are 20 tips which considered most important;

1. Make sure your e-mail includes a courteous greeting and closing. Helps to make your e-mail not seem demanding or tense
2. Address your contact with appropriate level of formality and make sure you spelled their name correctly !
3. Spell check e-mails with typos are simply not taken as seriously
4. If your e-mail is emotionally charged, walk away from the computer and wait to reply. Review the Sender's email again so that you are sure you are not reading anything into the e-mail that simply isn't there.
5. Refrain from using the "Reply to All" feature to give your opinion to those who may not be interested. In most cases replying to the Sender alone is your best course of action.
6. Type in complete sentences. To type random phrases or cryptic thoughts does not lend to clear comminiction.
7. Never assume the intent of an e-mail if you are not sure - ask so as to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.
8. Always include a brief subject. No subject can get your e-mail flagged as spam.
9. Be sure the subject: field accurately reflects the content of your e-mail.
10. Keep e-mail brief and to the point. Save long conversation for the old fashioned telephone.
11. Always end your e-mails with "Thank You", "Sincerely", "Take it easy", "Best regards" - something !
12. DO NOT TYPE IN ALL CAPS. That's yelling or reflects shouting emphasis.
13. When sending large attachments, try to "zip" or compress them before sending. 
14. Only use Cc: when it is important for those you Cc: to know  about the contents of the e-mai. Oversure can cause your e-mails to be ignored.
15. Try not make assumptions when it comes to e-mail. Always ask for clarification before react.
16. When there is a misunderstanding by e-mail, don't hesitate to pick up old fashioned telephone to works thing out.
17. Think of your business e-mail as though it was on your business letterhead and you never go wrong.
18. Formality is in place as a courtesy and reflects respect. Assume the higher lever formality with new e-mail contact until the relationship dictates otherwise. Refrain from getting too informal too soon in your email communications.
19. When replying to an e-mail with multiple recipients noted in the To: or Cc: fields, remove the addresses of those who your reply does not apply.
20. Type unto others as you would have them type unto you!

 ref:http://www.101emailetiquettetips.com/