Email can be a powerful tool to connect with your customers, if it’s used in a genuine way. Avoid some common email mistakes and you’ll increase your chances of your emails being read. For help with email etitquette, read Email Etiquette often and share it with your co-workers.

In the world of Email, avoid common, yet easily avoidable, mistakes.

Do not use email to make a decision or conduct a conversation; too much is left up to interpretation. 

Do not attach unnecessary files. Even innocently, your attachments could annoy your customers, cause a breakdown in their email system or be a cocoon for hidden viruses.

Do not overuse the High Priority option or the words Urgent and Important. Remember, your failure to plan does not constitute an emergency on their part. More often, you come across as being aggressive and unorganized.
Do not write in all CAPITALS because it translates as shouting. If you really are shouting at the person, re-think using email as your communication source.

Do not put it in writing unless it’s okay for anyone to read it. Sending an email is like passing a note in school. If you don’t want your email to be displayed on a bulletin board, don’t send it. Moreover, never make any sexist or racially discriminating comments in emails, even if they are meant to be a joke. Email is not confidential.

Do not use abbreviations and emoticons in business emails. The recipient might not be aware of the meanings of the abbreviations BTW (by the way) and LOL (laugh out loud) and in business emails these are generally not appropriate. The same goes for emoticons, such as the smiley . If you are not sure whether your recipient knows what it means, it is better not to use it.

Do not forward chain letters. We can confidently say that they are all are hoaxes. Delete the letters as soon as you receive them.

Do not request delivery and read receipts. This will almost always annoy your recipient before they have even read your message. If you want to know whether an email was received, it is better to ask.

Do not ask to recall a message. Most likely your message has already been delivered and read. It is better just to send an email to say that you have made a mistake. This will look much more honest than trying to recall a message.

Do not forward virus hoaxes. If you receive an email message warning you of a new unstoppable virus that will immediately delete everything from your computer, this is most probably a hoax. By forwarding hoaxes you use valuable bandwidth and sometimes virus hoaxes contain viruses themselves, by attaching a so-called file that will stop the dangerous virus. Even if the content seems to be bona fide, the senders are usually not.

Do not reply to spam. By replying to spam or by unsubscribing, you are confirming that your email address is ‘live’. Confirming this will only generate even more spam. Therefore, just hit the delete button or use email software to remove spam automatically.