Forwarding of e-mails is one of the topics I get contacted about the most. And, one which also causes hurt feelings and misunderstandings more than any other topic. Daily, e-mails flow in from onliners asking about a "nice way" of telling someone they care about, relative, friend or associate to not forward attachments, chain e-mails, political commentary or the jokes that are so prevalent online.
Netizens are afraid to ask others to stop and those who are asked to stop, no matter how nicely, get offended and feel as though their thoughtfulness is not appreciated. But let's think about this a moment. How really thoughtful is it to click the forward arrow, then a bunch of e-mail addresses and hit send? Well, your brain had to "think" about those steps but does that make the effort truly "thoughtful." I don't think so...
Here are the 5 Rules of Forwarding E-mails that those who are being truly thoughtful follow. If everyone followed them all the problems associated with forwarded e-mails could be avoided. Sticking to these guidelines will assist both those thinking they are thoughtful and those who don't want to appear otherwise:
1. Don't forward anything without editing out all the forwarding >>>>, e-mail addresses, headers and commentary from all the other forwarders. Don't make folks look amongst all the gobbly-gook to see what it is you thought was worth forwarding. If you must forward, only forward the actual "guts" or content of the e-mail that you are of the opinion is valuable.
2. If you cannot take the time to write a personal comment at the top of your forwarded e-mail to the person you are sending to - then you shouldn't forward it at all.
3. Think carefully about if what you are forwarding will be of value (accurate information), appreciated (something the recipient needs) or humorous (do they have the same sense of humor as you do) to the person on the other side. Or do you just think it is worthy? If you cannot think of why the person you are forwarding to would like to receive the e-mail - then don't forward it.
4. It should go without saying that forwarding of chain letters (regardless how noble the topic may seem), virus warnings or anything that says "forward to everyone you know" simply shouldn't be forwarded because it is plain old B.S. or commentary that many will not appreciate. But I have to say it because folks do so anyway.
5. If you must forward to more than one person, put your e-mail address in the TO: field and all the others you are sending to in the BCC field to protect their e-mail address from being published to those they do not know. This is a serious privacy issue. Again, be sure to take the time to type a nice little comment about why you are forwarding the e-mail to the recipient(s) at the top of your forward.
The above 5 rules will help qualify if an e-mail is worth forwarding and the right way to do so if it is. If one cannot make these extra efforts, then they really have no excuse to get mad or have hurt feelings when asked to stop. And if asked to stop forwarding, don't get mad; just realize the person on the other side certainly has the right to make that request.
At the end of the day, if you fear hurting someone's feelings by asking them to stop forwarding you e-mail, know they probably meant well, were really thinking of you, were trying to make a point - ahhh, just hit delete
About the Author:
Judith Kallos is an authoritative and good-humored Technology Muse who has played @ http://www.TheIStudio.com for over a decade. Check out her popular E-mail Etiquette site @: http://www.NetManners.com
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
A responsive opt in list is an unbelievably powerful money-maker... Read More
To build and maintain your opt-in list requires constant attention.As... Read More
Here are 22 simple but highly effective methods to build... Read More
Everyone at some point in their Internet experience has received... Read More
Have you ever wondered how some websites get so many... Read More
If you do business as an affiliate, then you're constantly... Read More
With all the negative Publicity that S.pam is Getting, Permission... Read More
You've launched your web site. You've implemented a public relations... Read More
Coming as I do from a direct response and direct... Read More
Spam e-mail is no longer the mild irritant it once... Read More
"I want to sell my company's products on the Web,... Read More
When using an email marketing tool such as Adestra's Message... Read More
What is an Autoresponder?An Autoresponder is a program or service... Read More
A powerful reason for making the switch from using the... Read More
Like most other prime search engines, the ability to freely... Read More
Creating a newsletter is an ideal way to drive repeat... Read More
Sound familiar? Ever wondered what happens to those unopened emails... Read More
It is an accepted fact among the experts now that... Read More
Most folks starting out on the Internet have tried free... Read More
No matter what type of business you operate, you need... Read More
Have you ever accidentally lost an important file on your... Read More
Autoresponders are, without a shadow of a doubt, one of... Read More
1. Write Your Objective - Before you write your sales... Read More
Imagine going to bed and waking up in the morning... Read More
1. Most people want to win over others. Tell your... Read More
Email Marketing 2005?Do's & Don'ts1. Make sure all your email... Read More
Delivering email newsletters and sales messages to opt-in subscribers and... Read More
I have always been an avid reader of Stephen King's... Read More
Just about every successful Internet Marketer will tell you that,... Read More
Organisations such as the BPA have been providing auditing services... Read More
In this article I will give you several tips that... Read More
An opt-in e-newsletter is one of the most effective marketing... Read More
One of the most important and often overlooked methods of... Read More
Is your email getting to your list members? If so,... Read More
Email - today's preferred business communication tool - provides you... Read More
How much time did you spend on deciding on the... Read More
The topic of sending attachments by e-mail is not one... Read More
Spam e-mail is no longer the mild irritant it once... Read More
Are you dead sure about receiving of all the important... Read More
Do you know how to feed it, so that it... Read More
Imagine going to bed and waking up in the morning... Read More
Gartner estimates that half of the 5.5 trillion emails sent... Read More
According to a study by the Winterberry Group, email marketing... Read More
Let's start at the beginning - why do you need... Read More
Have You Considered The Power Of Email MarketingOld vs. NewIf... Read More
Before I do this, let me describe how autoresponders work.... Read More
With autoresponders, you never have to lose money advertising again!... Read More
I get e-mails all the time from people on my... Read More
Sending messages and information to people who have given you... Read More
We all know that spammers are looking for your email-address.... Read More
Answering emails can take up a significant portion of the... Read More
Have you ever wondered how some websites get so many... Read More
One of the underlying benefits of smart autoresponders is that... Read More
Free email accounts are great if you want to hide... Read More
If YOU Answered YES, Then Start An Online Newsletter?It's Easy,... Read More
When it comes to your business e-mail communications, you need... Read More
It's unbelievable....that many people do not know, that an automatic... Read More
Type "email etiquette" into the search bar of any popular... Read More
If you are active on the web promoting your products,... Read More
Let's recap what you've learned so far...In the first lesson,... Read More
One major asset that every internet or affiliate marketer needs... Read More
You've done the hardest part; you've captured your prospect's email... Read More
Millions of people use their computer everyday as a form... Read More
Just about every successful Internet Marketer will tell you that,... Read More
* The Automatic Responder is generally referred to as an... Read More
Email EtiquetteIn order to effeciently communicate on the Internet it... Read More
Email Marketing |