10 Fatal Mistakes Managers Make in E-mail

E-mail, like playing guitar, is harder than it looks. But while mastering that solo in Stairway to Heaven is just never going to happen (Seriously -- It's time to move on to an easier song), you can teach yourself how to fix your most egregious e-mail failures.

Recently, the Wall Street Journal talked about the ten mistakes that managers make with e-mail. Many of these should sound familiar; I've been beating this drum for a while now:

1. Using vague subject lines. Be clear about the subject, and update the subject line if needed.
2. Burying the lede. Remember: Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF).
3. Hiding people behind the BCC line. One of them is bound to reply all and your little deception will crumble.
4. Failing to clean up the thread before adding to the mess with a new reply.
5. Using poor grammar and style. Don't write like Rick.
6. Writing over-long e-mails. Why didn't anyone reply to your latest tome? Maybe it's just too long.
7. Writing needlessly long, bulky paragraphs. Write your e-mail in digestible chunks.
8. Neglecting the readers by forgetting common courtesies. Say thank you in public; give criticism in private.
9. Always using e-mail when other forms of communication might be better. You do still have a phone, right?
10. Forgetting that e-mail lasts forever. An e-mail you write today is evidence in court 5 years from now.

• 3 Time-Saving E-mail Replies for Emptying Your Inbox
• Five Rules to Take Control of Your E-mail, Be More Productive
• Organize Your Outlook Email by Color
• Don't Annoy Your Boss and Co-Workers with E-mail Gaffes
• Top 5 Best Practices for Writing Effective E-mail

Dave Johnson

View all articles by Dave Johnson on CBS MoneyWatch »
Dave Johnson is editor of eHow Tech and author of three dozen books, including the best-selling How to Do Everything with Your Digital Camera. Dave has previously worked at Microsoft and has written about technology for a long list of magazines that include PC World and Wired.

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