How savvy are you about using one of the world's most powerful and pervasive communication tools - email? If you're not, you need to get that way.

The author of Beyond Email Netiquette has trained thousands of professionals in writing and other success skills. He learned through decades of working closely with business people that writing was one of the workplace skills most in need of improvement. Then along came email--and even many people who know that writing is not their greatest skill were having to put words "to paper" for everyone to read.

People's careers can depend on their ability to write well and communicate clearly, and it's critical to carry those skills to the new electronic medium. He decided to write a book to help. I'd have to say he's done a pretty good job.

In a brief 43 pages, Al Borowski manages to talk about all the important areas you need to be aware of when using email, including:

1. The facts about email. You and your company project an image by the emails that go out. Even if you're not thinking about it, the image is still being sent.

2. Structure. Consider the significance of each component of an email. For example, the subject line alone can make or break a communication. He suggests ways to make yours more likely to get read--like don't hit "reply" or "forward" when you need an answer. Change the subject line! Your most important aim is to save your readers time.

3. The rules of writing. This may be the most important section. What we write projects that "image" very powerfully. Our bosses, colleagues will form opinions about us by the way we write. Promotions, raises and even your career can depend on those opinions.

The author relates ALL of the critical principles of good writing-in only 15 pages. I have read books on writing that run to 200+ pages that contain exactly the same points, so you can't lose by studying this section.

4. Graphic presentation. Good ideas for proper font selection (sans serif works better on screen), color, underlining, and even judicious use of emoticons (those silly symbols that show you're smiling when you say this) are given in simple language.

5. Mechanics. The technological capabilities of email are powerful and easy to misuse. Things like knowing when to use CC: and BCC: can have powerful effects on your readers. For example, using CC to "cover your carcass" by copying a boss or other influential person to prove something's been done can create very negative feelings in other readers. And it can backfire big time if your boss sees it for what it is and doesn't approve of such tactics.

6. Common sense suggestions. It's helpful to remember these tips as we rush through the day. Reply promptly, remember to attach files you promised, only use email if you'd be willing to see it displayed on the company bulletin board with your name attached, etc.

I've read a lot of books about writing, and I'm impressed by the completeness and the compactness of this little gem. You can probably learn something even if you consider yourself a career-building email expert. Worth having around.

Barbara Payne

Back to product description

$12.00 (plus S/H)

Buy now

Home | What I do | Companies I've worked with Accomplishments | Press | Writing samples | Products Contact me | Blog | Search | Sitemap Back to top Barbara Payne, Managing Principal ReallyGoodFreelanceWriter.com 928 SOM Center Rd., Ste. 103 Cleveland, OH 44143 440.646.0041 fax 440.646.0129 © 2001-4 Barbara Payne