In a recent blog post I discussed the volume of spam I receive every day: An Internet Thanksgiving Gift
When responding to a comment it hit me. Too many folks out there do not seem to know basic etiquette when it comes to sending e-mail.
Here are some basics that everyone should know if they plan to send out messages for their business or group. If you want to win friends and influence people, you will not do it by irritating or harming folks.
- Keep the message quick and simple. No one wants to read the encyclopedia.
- Avoid sending attachments unless you are transmitting a document they are expecting. Even then there are services that you can post them on the net and send them a download link. This avoids overloading their e-mail account.
- If you are sending to multiple parts, use the BCC (Blind Carbon Copy) command. If you show the names of everyone on your list you open them up to spam from others.
- Be sure your computer is virus free at all times. If you want make a lot of folks angry, send them a virus.
- Do not send the same people too many messages. Daily stuff is a great way to tick them off. If you are selling homes, know it off with the unrelated stuff like pumpkin pie recipes. You are already filling my box with the same junk 10 other people are sending me about the market, the last thing I need is 10 more message with the latest pumpkin pie recipe.
- Before you send any message, ask yourself a simple question. What would your reaction be if this was sent to you?
- Provide an unsubscribe button and honor it!!!
There are several real estate agents in my area who are bombing my e-mail box with every listing and open house in their office nearly daily. I have hit the unsubscribe button and e-mailed them to stop. The flood just keeps coming. Guess how bad I want to work with them in the future?
It is a matter of common sense and common decency. Follow the golden rule.
Here is another blog article on a similar topic: A Changing Market is No Excuse for Bad Behavior
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