E-mail has become the most popular ways for people to communicate in the workplace. If I need to get in touch with a coworker or client, most of the time I prefer sending an e-mail as opposed to picking up the telephone.

In order to be savvy in the e-mail department, there are certain rules that you should try to follow. They will make your e-mails more effective and also reduce the likelihood of offending anyone on the other end. You can refer to the list of so-called rules below as some basic e-mail etiquette.

1. When you are composing your e-mail, type in a subject line that is meaningful. It should give the other person a good idea of what the e-mail pertains to.

2. Do not type your e-mails in caps. This is the equivalent to yelling.
3. Keep your e-mails as short as possible and on topic.
4. Watch the tone of your e-mail since it is easy for the recipient to misinterpret.
5. An e-mail is a virtual letter, so always add your signature or name at the end of the message.
6. Do not add unnecessary attachments since they do take up space on the recipient’s computer.
7. Do not include private information in the message unless you are using additional technology to ensure the message is secured.
8. If you are sending an e-mail to a mailing list, don’t send messages that are off-topic or irrelevant.
9. Once you have composed your e-mail, always take a few moments to read what you have typed.
10. Check your spelling, grammar, and punctuation before clicking the Send button.

Finally, you should recognize that there are times when a phone conversation or speaking with someone face to face is more appropriate than sending an e-mail.