Tag: Email Etiquette

Follow a proper email format

When writing a formal business email, it’s wise to follow the correct email format:

• Subject line: describe what the email is about in a few words
• Email greeting: Mention the recipient’s name and add a proper greeting
• Body: Write the main message and one ask
• Signature: Include your name, surname, company name, and sign-off

Choose an Appropriate Ending

Sometimes it’s hard to know how to end an email message. Here are a few suggestions, based on the situation:

• Thanks or Many Thanks: If you’re asking for a favor.
• Sincerely: If your message is formal.
• Best Regards or Kind Regards: If you want to maintain a formal business tone.

Be Careful With Sarcasm, Humor and emoji’s

Because you don’t get the context of facial expressions and tone of voice in email, it’s not a good medium for expressing sarcasm or humor, especially with recipients you don’t know well. Express your message simply and straightforwardly, at least until you get to know a recipient better.

Use emojis sparingly ✔

It’s far easier to say, “Don’t use emojis — ever!” It saves you any trouble, even if it’s okay to use emojis in certain circumstances. But realistically, this won’t happen — and chances are you’ve probably already used them.

So here’s our take: You can use emojis in formal business emails, but use the right ones, use them sparingly, and use them with people you know well. For example, if you’re interacting with a new customer, you’re probably better off not using them unless they use them first.

Use Acronyms Sparingly

Not everybody knows every acronym, so use as few as possible, and only when you’re sure the recipient knows what they mean.

There are several acronyms that are commonly used in business email correspondence. Here are a few:

• ASAP: As Soon as Possible
• BTW: By the Way
• EOD: End of Day
• EOM: End of Message (typically used in the subject line to indicate there is no email body to follow)
• EOW: End of Week
• FYI: For Your Information
• IMO: In My Opinion
• OOO: Out of Office
• Y/N: Yes or No