Miscommunication can happen very easily, especially in print. (Even moreso nowadays.) Because of such, I ask every individual who desires to contact me to read and follow these basic etiquette rules of professional communication. Thank you!
- Use a professional—and real—e-mail address.
Inappropriate e-mail addresses, such as "hotbabe@..." or "boozelover@...," will be ignored, automatically deleted, and most likely even blocked.
**ATTENTION**: Trolls and cowards use fake e-mail addresses in order to try and spew their ignorant, anti-intellectual nonsense and avoid responses from the recipient. It is the childish equivalent to sticking your fingers in your ears and singing, "Na na na-na na, I can't hear you." Such e-mails will not be opened or read, but sent directly to the trash. If you have no interest in having a mature, respectful, intelligent, rational, honest discussion, then do not attempt to contact me. Those who attempt to flood my account with spam will be reported to their ISP (Internet Service Provider).
- Use professional salutations.
Avoid laid-back, colloquial expressions such as "Hey" or "Yo," which are extremely informal. Use "Hi" or "Hello" instead.
Also, do not shorten anyone's name unless you know that they prefer, or even like, to be called by a short form. Shortening someone's name without their permission is extremely rude and unprofessional. If someone introduces themselves in person as 'Mike,' do not call them 'Michael.' If someone introduces themselves by letter and signs off as 'Michael," do not respond by addressing them as 'Mike.' The same goes vice versa.
- Be cautious with humour.
Humour easily gets lost in translation without the right tone, facial expression, or body language. Even face-to-face, certain types of humour still get lost.
- Keep tabs on your tone.
Just as humour gets lost in translation, so too is tone easily misconstrued without the context of vocal cues, facial expressions, and body language. It is extremely easy to come off as more abrupt and abrasive than you may have intended. (Trust me, I know.) To avoid misunderstandings, read and re-read your e-mail over a few times, preferably out loud, before sending it off.
- Avoid using all-caps, and use exclamation points sparingly.
The use of all-caps (every word in upper case letters) appears as if you are shouting, and nobody enjoys being shouted at. The use of all-caps and the use of too many exclamation points can make you appear extremely emotional, immature, and irrational. Perhaps even mentally unstable.
- Do not use profanity.
"Clean language is a sign of intelligence and always demands respect." "Cursing is a sign of a weak mind and an even weaker character." The use of profanity can make you appear extremely emotional, immature, and irrational. Perhaps even mentally unstable.
If you agree to follow these basic rules of professional communication, then you may contact me here:
IMAGE HERE