Someone had asked me about the best way to sign off on email. It got me thinking to the lessons learned re: electronic communications and the situations I’ve seen.

1. Never put into email what you wouldn’t say directly to the person. You have no idea who the email will get forwarded to. Don’t forward without ccing the original author.
2. Emails should be short and to the point: we’re usually reading them off a tiny screen. and have 30 seconds. Tell me what you need.
3. Don’t send lots of attachments. I guarantee they won’t get opened. Send the ones you really need, and say why they are important.  Bring copies to the meeting just in case.
4. Don’t email/IM commenting on someone’s poor performance during the meeting. (Guess what, it shows up when they’re hosting a live meeting..yes I have seen this happen.)
5. Assume your email is being cced to your parents, your spouse/partner, your manager. Still want to send it?

If you do send an email that you shouldn’t have sent, IMMEDIATELY go and apologize to the recipient. No excuses. Just apologize.