Change the subject please.

What is this?

You are likely here for one of two reasons:

1. You care about learning basic email etiquette (which I refer to as - The Rules)
2. Someone who cares about you, but cares about The Rules even more, sent you here.

It is OK. You are in good hands. This page exists to help teach you some very easy but important rules about composing, responding to, and interacting with email. I hope you find your time spent here useful and rewarding.

The Rules

1. Change the subject please.

If you are on an email thread about a topic and, in the course of said thread, the topic changes, please change the subject line to reflect the new topic. It is also very helpful if you include what the former topic was. For instance: “The Rules (was A subject different than The Rules)”.

2. While we are on the subject of subjects.

Please make sure to include a subject line with your email. If you receive a message that does not contain a subject line, and you need to reply to it, please put one in. This helps to train others that do not include subject lines or helps those who inadvertently forgot to include one.

In addition, please choose a subject that is descriptive of the email itself. A subject that simply says "Question?" does little to allow the reader to know how they might help you and thus spurs little action. Something like, "Question regarding the coming zombie apocalypse." will likely yield quicker and more valuable results.

3. Use the BCC field if sending to a group.

If you are sending to a group of people, especially if they do not all know one another, do not use the “To” field. Please use the BCC field instead. By doing so, you keep the email addresses of your recipients private. I promise that this is the way they prefer it, plus, well, it is one of The Rules. For further instruction on this very important rule, please check out the very wonderful BCC Please

4. Emails are made of text.

There are very few and rare instances where any formatting beyond non-formatted plain text is ever acceptable. You will likely never encounter one of these times. Therefore, please refrain from the following:

• Using all caps (IT READS LIKE SCREAMING!!!)
• Don’t use special fonts or colors. Apply flourish with your words. (i.e. Learn to write better)
• Write using proper grammar and punctuation.

5. Value your time and that of your recipient.

Email is a very serious endeavor and, due to its increasing volume, there is little time for games. Therefore, please do not forward jokes, scams, or send frivolous messages.

Also, only include those recipients that really need the message. Do not copy (CC) someone on a message unless it is important and necessary to do so.

In addition, please keep your responses short and to the point.

Further Reading

For more information about this very important topic, please see the following:

• Thanks. No. - Merlin Mann’s pithy and excellent guide to email etiquette.

• Five Sentences - A proclamation and call to action to keep your email communication brief.

This page was inspired by everyone linked above as well as receiving more than a few email messages that do not follow "The Rules" stated above. If you know someone who could benefit from these lessons, please feel free to forward the link along.