Etiquette of Online Communication:

In an age of electronic media, where words are simply made up of dots on a screen, we have lost any human inference in the words we type. Because there is no implied tone in e-mail, it is our obligation to set the tone of a conversation, so that our words are not misconstrued.

Greeting

Setting a positive tone in e-mail begins, well, at the beginning. By writing an actual greeting, and using someone’s name, or group title, you start by setting a friendly tone for the e-mail.

For Example:

Hey Jake,

Hi friends,

Shalom SAVPs,

Body

Your body should be concise and can certainly start with a friendly formality. Most people don’t have the attention span to read paragraphs of information in an e-mail. Instead, consider putting a list of highlights towards the opening of your e-mail, so readers know what to expect.

For Example:

I hope this finds you enjoying school. It was so nice to receive your

e-mail, and I have been looking forward to responding to it…..

I’m excited that there are so many projects to share with you. Just to highlight the information included, read on to find out more about:

            The No-Fly Zone in Darfur

            Strongly Encouraged v. Required

            The Role of Social Programming in NFTY Events

Closing Signature and the Signature File

A signature file can provide useful information such as a mailing and email address, phone/fax number, web site address, a text quote or other contact information. Four or five lines are about the maximum. The signature file usually automatically appears at the end of your email message. Think of the signature file as your electronic business card.

This should not be confused with your personal signature, which is followed by a closing to your e-mail. In the same way you would never have a formal exchange with a person, hand them a business card and just turn around and walk away without a handshake, closing an e-mail with a signature file, but no actual closing and signing of your name, leaves the reader with a sense of formality, distance, and lack of connection to you and your words. You are not executives writing memos to your staff, you are human beings working hard to communicate authentically via a fairly sterile mode of communication. Please don’t underestimate the value of signing your name on an e-mail.

For Example:

Take care,         Shalom,                        Shana tova,       Keep it real,

Paul                  George              John                 Ringo

Sample NOT-SO-POSITIVE e-mail:

From: Delilah Rosenbaum

To: Jacob Bugleman

Subject: Choveret, Round 2

Send me the file.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Delilah Rosenbaum

President, CRAFTY

847.555.8525

Delilah.m.rosenbaum@gmail.com

“And God said, bless the small children.  And it was good.”

Save the Date!

CRAFTY Dance

Highland Park, IL

February 9, 2008

Sample POSITIVE e-mail:

From: Delilah Rosenbaum

To: Jacob Bugleman

Subject: Choveret, Round 2

Hey Jake,

I hope all is well with you. When you get a chance, can you please send me the second version of the Choveret? I need it for a program I am coordinating with my network in NFTY CAR. I look forward to hearing back from you soon!

You rock,

Delilah

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Delilah Rosenbaum

President, CRAFTY

847.555.8525

Delilah.m.rosenbaum@gmail.com

“And God said, bless the small children.  And it was good.”

Save the Date!

CRAFTY Dance

Highland Park, IL

February 9, 2008

Communication on Online Forums (Facebook, MySpace, etc):

The above rules apply for any and all business communication you have on online forums –just because the method of communication is more informal, it doesn’t mean you should get sloppy.