Often web users forget all about common courtesy once they get online. They seem to forget that they are interacting with other people with feelings just like their own, not soulless computers.

It's important to make the effort to ensure you are coming across as polite online. Facial expressions, body language, tone of voice, and gestures convey what we're saying more than our words do in face to face communication. None of this can be seen in online communication, making it easy for others to take our digital words wrong, so we have to find other ways to express our intentions online.

I've noticed that we Americans seem to be among the most brusque and impolite Internet communicators. The nicest emails I receive are from the British. Perhaps we should remember the "ugly American" label we wear overseas and combat that globally via the Internet.

Here are a few reminders on Internet courtesy:

Email:

• Respond to emails promptly
• Use a greeting at the beginning
• Make sure the tone is friendly, not brusque
• Make use of emoticons if appropriate
• Use spell check - it shows you care
• Sign off in a friendly manner

Making Blog Comments

• Leave a comment that is thoughtful and shows you read the po
• If you disagree with the poster, express it politely; don't stoop to name calling or other nastiness
• Don't take advantage of the blogger by using their comment section for free advertising

Responding to Blog Comments

• Respond to every commenter- Blog Comment Tip: Respond to Comments or Risk Losing Subscribers 
• If the commenter criticizes you, be gracious about it - your readers are watching you

Forums

• If you use an avatar, you'll be judged by it. Do you really want to be the humping dog?
• You can get into a spirited discussion without being rude; in fact, you'll sound smarter if you're calm and courteous

Spending a little extra time and effort to treat others well online will garner good will, more business, and you'll live happily ever after. ;)

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