Email etiquette: 6 tips to look more professional

Although email may feel like a casual form of correspondence, it helps to keep etiquette in mind, especially if you use email for work.

Younger employees who may not have had much experience using email for professional correspondence can certainly benefit from the following tips. They’re a great refresher for more established employees, too.

Before you click send, use these six email etiquette tips as a guide to keep your messages effective and professional:

1. Meet and greet.

When you start a message, be sure to include a polite greeting. And once you’re done, include a closing sentiment, even if it’s something simple like “thanks” or “have a great day.” Those two details make emails seem more personable and less brusque.

2. Proofread.

Before you send a lengthy or particularly important email, give yourself time to read through the message to check for any errors. Email isn’t just a form of communication; it can help others form an impression of you. If you constantly send notes riddled with spelling and punctuation errors, it won’t do much for your professional reputation.

3. Keep it brief.