| |
|
|
Email List Etiquette
Mailing lists are used as forums for teaching, collaboration, discussion,
entertainment, announcements and more. A message sent to a list will appear in
each subscriber's mailbox, with the sender's name in the "from"
line.
Following are some tips and guidelines for making your mailing list more productive and enjoyable.
1. Remember you are interacting with people.
Because you only see letters stringing across a screen, it is easy to forget or ignore that a person
sits on the other side of the network. This can tempt people to excess verbal boldness or emotional
explosions, leaving readers angry and hurt. Over the Internet, you should consider yourself as having
a face-to-face conversation with someone in a crowded room. Cursing and raw abuse are not appropriate.
Keep debate civil, and keep it a debate, not a slanderous brawl. Always remember behind every email
address is another person.
2. Differentiate between public and private messages.
The listserv is public space. Personal messages, such as criticism of a person's writing style or new scarf
should be sent to that person only. To broadcast such messages on the listserv can embarrass and anger.
Messages for everyone on the list go to oakmont@yahoogroups.com .
But please add a descriptive subjet to your message. Questions about how the list works (e.g.,
"How do I use Digest mode?" and "How do I find out who else is subscribed to this list?")
can be directed to Listserv Questions
3. Make subject lines descriptive.
People should have a flavor of the message from glancing at the subject line. "Hello," is not as
good as, "Changes in Meeting Schedule."
4. Edit the original message in your replies.
When replying to a message, re-send a few summarizing lines of the original message so the reader
will know immediately what matter you are addressing. The user who receives dozens of messages a day
can easily forget what he wrote a couple days before. However, do not re-send the entire original message,
especially if long, as it might be unwanted by the receiver, and an unnecessary burden for servers.
5. Sign your postings.
It is good practice to include a few lines at the end of your message indicating your name and e-mail
address as some mail programs do not automatically display such information. And it is best to keep such
electronic signatures reasonably short.
6. Be brief.
Say your say succinctly. It will have a greater impact and more people will read it.
7. Write clearly and logically.
Simplicity of expression usually is best. Sudden poetic bursts intended to "impress" usually
do not impress, and may bother the reader.
8. Be prudent with speculation.
On the internet, rumor can grow extravagant and spread like fire. Remarks beginning with, "I have a
feeling that . . ." or, "I think that . . ." are usually suspect.
9. Be cautious with humor and sarcasm.
Typed language is naturally colder than spoken language, because it is stripped of voice inflections and
body language. Quite easily, humor can be taken as insult, especially if subtle. Some users prefer to use
symbols that hint at tone, such as the smiley face: :-) It is safest to frankly note satirical messages.
10. Email lists are as good, and only as good, as the subscribers make them.
Lists work best when intelligent people bring fresh knowledge and ideas to the table. New ideas can stimulate
discussion. Trivial or inane comments often kill discussion. Write meaty, thoughtful things and everyone will
benefit from the list.
This page last updated: Thu Dec 14 19:51:13 2006
We are being hosted by Metropolitan Austin Interactive Network (MAIN)
and want to send them our most sincere thanks. |
