Don’ts
1. Don’t use email in place of a one-on-one conversation. Talk to people and keep writing notes rather than hiding behind your computer.
2. Don’t use all caps. IT LOOKS LIKE YOU ARE SHOUTING!
3. Don’t use sarcasm. It never works in writing.
4. Don’t use email as a confrontational tool. If you’re really perturbed at someone, see them in person—after you have cooled off.
5. Don’t believe everything you read. Just because an email claims “the research team at IBM has discovered a new email virus” doesn’t mean it is true.
6. Don’t spread rumors. The grapevine is powerful enough without email’s help.
7. Don’t store email in your inbox. Set up folders to sort emails you need to keep.
8. Don’t spam. Spam is unsolicited junk mail sent to a list of people. To avoid spamming people, ask yourself whether or not the information you’re sending will be of interest to EVERYONE on your To: list.
9. Don’t check your email every time the “new mail” icon shows up.
10. Don’t email information that needs to be addressed within twenty-four hours. Let people know via phone, radio, or in person.

Do’s
1. Use email to pass along valuable information. That’s what email does best. It is an excellent tool for quickly reaching many people with important information.
2. Check your email at least once each work day. Vital information is often sent out with little advance notice.
3. Use email as a reminder tool.
4. Use email to answer questions. Let the person know you received his question and tell him when to remind you if he hasn’t received an answer.
5. Always respond to interoffice email.
6. Use email to pass along phone messages. When you receive a phone message, a quick “thank you” lets the message taker know you have received the message.