Instant Alert: 8 things you should always do in your emails — and 5 things to avoid

MANAGE SUBSCRIPTIONS   |   UNSUBSCRIBE   |   VIEW ONLINE   8 things you should always do in your emails — and 5 things to avoid by Sharon Schweitzer on Sep 28, 2017, 3:28 PM Advertisement Few things can tarnish your professional brand quite like a poorly written, misguided email. One click of the 'send' button, can be the difference between a successful business exchange and a potential HR issue or coworker conflict. And while Americans send hundreds of thousands of emails a day, the electronic mail should not be taken for granted. Whether you're a senior professional or an office newbie, here are 13 must-remember dos and don'ts of business email etiquette. SEE ALSO: The No.1 factor in happiness isn't wealth or popularity — but too many people overlook it at every turn Do pay attention to the subject line Write a clear, concise subject line that reflects the body of the email. Avoid subject lines with,"Hi," "Touching Base" or "FYI," and do not leave a subject line blank. Do use a proper salutation Remember "Hi" and "Hey" communicate a lack of professionalism and maturity. Begin your email with phrases such as "Good Morning," "Good Afternoon," "Good Evening" or "Hello." "Good Day" or "Greetings" are other phrases used frequently in the international arena. Do use an introduction In direct cultures like the U.S., the best practice is for the sender to introduce themselves by first and last name with some background information in the first few lines. For example, "Dear Ms. Mandell: My name is Sharon Schweitzer, founder of Access to Culture; I was referred to you by…" or "My name is Sharon Schweitzer and I am an International Business Expert writing to you about…" This is especially important when introducing yourself to new contacts, potential customers, clients and employers who want to know how you received their contact information. See the rest of the story at Business Insider   Share the latest business news with your network:    Email sent to:   |   Manage your email preferences   |   Unsubscribe Terms of Service   |   Privacy Policy Business Insider. 150 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10011