Email is not a new method of communicating, but there are important etiquette issues to be aware of. Over time a number of usage concepts have evolved to become commonplace in using email. The efficient and appropriate use of email should be your priority.
The inspiration for this blog was experiencing a major “no-no” in the receipt of an email. Let me explain:
When sending an email to multiple recipients be aware that those to whom you are sending the email can view all the addresses in your email. This is often not appropriate! People typically do not want others to know their personal email address – particularly if you are sending the email from a business source – i.e. to multiple customers.
The solution? When sending emails be aware of the “TO”; “CC”; and “BCC: fields.
Each has their unique purpose.
“TO” is where you send a message for particular recipients, whereas “CC” (Carbon Copy) is used as a courtesy to let others know of the email message, even though they are not the primary recipient.
“BCC” is Blind Carbon Copy, and is used where you want others to be in on the email but don’t necessarily wish for the “TO” and “CC” recipients to know who the email is being sent to as well.
Where you wish to send emails to multiple unrelated recipients it is good practice to use the “BCC”; field since the recipients will not be aware of the other recipient’s addresses. Some email programs also have the ability to suppress recipients from seeing each others’ email contact details. The negative to “BCC” is that is can be seen as “talking” behind another’s back.
There are a number of other common etiquette matters to also remember when using email:
The above and many more email etiquette items are easily found on the internet.
Perhaps you have some favourite likes and dislikes with emails?