3 Basic Email mistakes which make you look really unprofessional

A recent Forbes article highlights 3 common and unprofessional mistakes that people make in emails:

1. Forgetting to attach (documents and such.) 2. You go on and on. (Not keeping emails concise and to the point.) 3. You spell the person's name wrong.
I am definitely guilty of #1, and I am sure there are other unprofessional things that can be done in an email. What have your worst email experiences been in the past?
22 Comments
 

Hm, seems Forbes is really up to date when it comes to proper etiquette for emails. Who would've thought that misspelling a name will make you look "unprofessional"?

I'm talking about liquid. Rich enough to have your own jet. Rich enough not to waste time. Fifty, a hundred million dollars, buddy. A player. Or nothing. See my Blog & AMA
 

Signing off with "best retards" as opposed to "best regards" may also potentially make you look silly. Rookie mistake to make but 'r' and 't' are right next to each other. Add that to the list Forbes

 
Best Response

Disagree with OP

I like to make subtle spelling errors of people's names on purpose. This lets them know how little I think of them, thus solidifying my supreme level of dominance

I like to intentionally not include attachments to give myself a few extra hours to work on things while still meeting deadlines

When asked the tough questions, I make it a point to go on and on to cause distraction and confusion, so folks don't realize that I never answered their questions

 
"Going Concern"

When asked the tough questions, I make it a point to go on and on to cause distraction and confusion, so folks don't realize that I never answered their questions

You do sound like a consultant...

 
asljkfasldkjf
  • Any best or worst time/weekday to send certain types of emails?
  • What? Send them when you finish the work/they need to be sent.

  • If an Associate or VP sends a quick email at 640 pm: "Hey X, Could you double check this deck and email it back by 8?, will a simple reply of "will do" work or should the email be more "Hi Y, Absolutely, I'll send it back before 8." or is it all preference
  • "Will do."

  • Anyone have a really solid email signature they liked to share?
  • Steal someone you work with but remember to also change their info to yours that is VERY IMPORTANT

  • To make sure I don't accidentally send an email when it's not ready, I always type in the TO and CC list after I check all content in the email and make sure attachments are attached...anyone have anything similar?
  • Yes.

  • Does it matter what order people in the TO and CC list are ordered? Alpha by last name? Should it be by rank? Or should it be who is most relevant to that email
  • By firm then rank. If it's a email pertaining to counsel all the people at counsel's firm go first, from highest rank to lowest. This 'actually' matters but really shouldn't but just do it because who cares?

  • Obviously know the difference between TO and CC...but what about the people that you are not quite sure if they should be on the TO or CC line? Does anyone have a hard rule they follow when they're not sure what to do?
  • I guess you really don't know the difference then.

  • Reply vs Reply All...does anyone have a hard rule they follow when they're stuck trying to decide which one to go with?
  • Is it something everyone needs to know? Reply all. Is it something that no one else needs to be included on? Reply. Chances are, your higher ups are probably going to want to know when you contact clients so I always throw the project manager on any email that goes to a client.

  • Tips of creating/crafting a perfect subject line
  • Write english words that describe what your email is about

  • One thing I get caught up on is BCC..someone care to explain and maybe give an example of when you would use one
  • Sending out an RFP to 1-100 firms for something but don't want them to know who else is getting it? BCC them all. That way they can't see who else got BCC'd. Sometimes I bid things to a single firm but I send the email to myself and BCC them so they think they are bidding against someone else. Why not?

    This to all my hatin' folks seeing me getting guac right now..
     
    Cruncharoo
  • Tips of creating/crafting a perfect subject line
  • Write english words that describe what your email is about

    lost it at this.

    "My name's Ralph Cox, and I'm from where ever's not gonna get me hit"
     

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