DO’s for Business E-mail:

• Put the company in the screen name and a personal name in parentheses after the e-mail address, i.e. ducksnarow2@aol.com (Ruth Sheets).
• Complete the subject line effectively indicating the message’s content.
• Keep messages brief and focused with correct grammar and spelling.
• Exercise discretion in the use of colored fonts and backgrounds.
• Use plain text rather than HTML or Rich Text Formatting.
• Use BCC (Blind Carbon Copy) when addressing a message going to a large group of people who don't necessarily know each other.
• Limit file attachment size. Many systems, especially free ISP services, have limited capacity to download attachments.
• Scan all files for viruses before sending them.
• Include a short identifying signature with contact information at the end of the message.

DON’Ts for Business E-mail:

• Use "Urgent" or "Priority" unless it really is.
• TYPE MESSAGES IN ALL-UPPERCASE. It is the equivalent of shouting and it is extremely difficult to read.
• Use fancy formatting (bold, italic, etc.)
• Use emoticons - small icons, i.e. :).
• Forward 'alerts', stories, chain letters, jokes, advertisements, or news releases without the recipients' expressed wish to receive them.
• CC (Carbon Copy) or reply to everyone to whom the e-mail has been sent unless it is warranted.
• Divulge personal/confidential information that could be made public. E-mail is neither confidential nor necessarily secure and that sent via a company network may be considered company property.
• Send a reply unless a reply is warranted.