This link has been bookmarked by 126 people . It was first bookmarked on 05 Jun 2008, by Stewart McTavish.
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03 Sep 16
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23 Mar 14
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23 Apr 12
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21 Apr 12
Mark FrisseSeth Godin's blog:
Great checklist on the do's and dont's of email use. Mentioned by Alina Tugend in her 2012-04-21 NYtimes article entitled :What to Think About Before Hit 'Send.' -
31 Mar 12
Maureen Greenbaum36 ideas on what to do to send fewer more noticed emails ...back from 2008 but excellent
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Brian SuszekBefore you hit send on that next email, perhaps you should run down this list, just to be sure:
Is it going to just one person? (If yes, jump to #10)
Since it's going to a group, have I thought about who is on my list?
Are they blind copied?
Did every person on the list really and truly opt in? Not like sort of, but really ask for it?
So that means that if I didn't send it to them, they'd complain about not getting it?
See #5. If they wouldn't complain, take them off!
That means, for example, that sending bulk email to a list of bloggers just cause they have blogs is not okay.
Aside: the definition of permission marketing: Anticipated, personal and relevant messages delivered to people who actually want to get them. Nowhere does it say anything about you and your needs as a sender. Probably none of my business, but I'm just letting you know how I feel. (And how your prospects feel).
Is the email from a real person? If it is, will hitting reply get a note back to that person? (if not, change it please).
Have I corresponded with this person before?
Really? They've written back? (if no, reconsider email).
If it is a cold-call email, and I'm sure it's welcome, and I'm sure it's not spam, then don't apologize. If I need to apologize, then yes, it's spam, and I'll get the brand-hurt I deserve.
Am I angry? (If so, save as draft and come back to the note in one hour).
Could I do this note better with a phone call?
Am I blind-ccing my boss? If so, what will happen if the recipient finds out?
Is there anything in this email I don't want the attorney general, the media or my boss seeing? (If so, hit delete).
Is any portion of the email in all caps? (If so, consider changing it.)
Is it in black type at a normal size?
Do I have my contact info at the bottom? (If not, consider adding it).
Have I included the line, "Please save the planet. Don't print this email"? (If so, please delete the line and consider a job as a forest ranger or flight attendant).
Could this email be shorter?
Is there anyone copied on this email who could be left off the list?
Have I attached any files that are very big? (If so, google something like 'send big files' and consider your options.)
Have I attached any files that would work better in PDF format?
Are there any :-) or other emoticons involved? (If so, reconsider).
Am I forwarding someone else's mail? (If so, will they be happy when they find out?)
Am I forwarding something about religion (mine or someone else's)? (If so, delete).
Am I forwarding something about a virus or worldwide charity effort or other potential hoax? (If so, visit snopes and check to see if it's 'actually true).
Did I hit 'reply all'? If so, am I glad I did? Does every person on the list need to see it?
Am I quoting back the original text in a helpful way? (Sending an email that says, in its entirety, "yes," is not helpful).
If this email is to someone like Seth, did I check to make sure I know the difference between its and it's? Just wondering.
If this is a press release, am I really sure that the recipient is going to be delighted to get it? Or am I taking advantage of the asymmetrical nature of email--free to send, expensive investment of time to read or delete?
Are there any little animated creatures in the footer of this email? Adorable kittens? Endangered species of any kind?
Bonus: Is there a long legal disclaimer at the bottom of my email? Why?
Bonus: Does the subject line make it easy to understand what's to come and likely it will get filed properly?
If I had to pay 42 cents to send this email, would I? -
30 Mar 12
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16 Dec 11
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07 Jul 11
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23 Sep 10
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27 May 10
Jay DuggerEmail checklist
Before you hit send on that next email, perhaps you should run down this list, just to be sure:
1. Is it going to just one person? (If yes, jump to #10)
2. Since it's going to a group, have I thought about who is on my list?
3. -
18 Mar 10
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02 Mar 10
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27 Jul 09
frank herold34 Fragen, die man sich ggf. vor dem Versand der nächsten E-Mail stellen sollte
Markenkommunikation online marketing kommunikation blogs web2.0 werbung
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14 Apr 09
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08 Apr 09
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17 Mar 09
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26 Feb 09
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06 Feb 09
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15 Jan 09
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06 Jan 09
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01 Jan 09
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31 Dec 08
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27 Dec 08
Frederik Van ZandeBefore you hit send on that next email, perhaps you should run down this list, just to be sure:
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12 Nov 08
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05 Nov 08
Stephanie Affield1. Is it going to just one person? (If yes, jump to #10)
2. Since it's going to a group, have I thought about who is on my list?
3. Are they blind -
15 Oct 08
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14 Oct 08
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- Is it going to just one person? (If yes, jump to #10)
- Since it's going to a group, have I thought about who is on my list?
- Are they blind copied?
- Did every person on the list really and truly opt in? Not like sort of, but really ask for it?
- So that means that if I didn't send it to them, they'd complain about not getting it?
- See #5. If they wouldn't complain, take them off!
- That means, for example, that sending bulk email to a list of bloggers just cause they have blogs is not okay.
- Aside: the definition of permission marketing: Anticipated, personal and relevant messages delivered to people who actually want to get them. Nowhere does it say anything about you and your needs as a sender. Probably none of my business, but I'm just letting you know how I feel. (And how your prospects feel).
- Is the email from a real person? If it is, will hitting reply get a note back to that person? (if not, change it please).
- Have I corresponded with this person before?
- Really? They've written back? (if no, reconsider email).
- If it is a cold-call email, and I'm sure it's welcome, and I'm sure it's not spam, then don't apologize. If I need to apologize, then yes, it's spam, and I'll get the brand-hurt I deserve.
- Am I angry? (If so, save as draft and come back to the note in one hour).
- Could I do this note better with a phone call?
- Am I blind-ccing my boss? If so, what will happen if the recipient finds out?
- Is there anything in this email I don't want the attorney general, the media or my boss seeing? (If so, hit delete).
- Is any portion of the email in all caps? (If so, consider changing it.)
- Is it in black type at a normal size?
- Do I have my contact info at the bottom? (If not, consider adding it).
- Have I included the line, "Please save the planet. Don't print this email"? (If so, please delete the line and consider a job as a forest ranger or flight attendant).
- Could this email be shorter?
- Is there anyone copied on this email who could be left off the list?
- Have I attached any files that are very big? (If so, google something like 'send big files' and consider your options.)
- Have I attached any files that would work better in PDF format?
- Are there any :-) or other emoticons involved? (If so, reconsider).
- Am I forwarding someone else's mail? (If so, will they be happy when they find out?)
- Am I forwarding something about religion (mine or someone else's)? (If so, delete).
- Am I forwarding something about a virus or worldwide charity effort or other potential hoax? (If so, visit snopes and check to see if it's 'actually true).
- Did I hit 'reply all'? If so, am I glad I did? Does every person on the list need to see it?
- Am I quoting back the original text in a helpful way? (Sending an email that says, in its entirety, "yes," is not helpful).
- If this email is to someone like Seth, did I check to make sure I know the difference between its and it's? Just wondering.
- If this is a press release, am I really sure that the recipient is going to be delighted to get it? Or am I taking advantage of the asymmetrical nature of email--free to send, expensive investment of time to read or delete?
- Are there any little animated creatures in the footer of this email? Adorable kittens? Endangered species of any kind?
- Bonus: Is there a long legal disclaimer at the bottom of my email? Why?
- Bonus: Does the subject line make it easy to understand what's to come and likely it will get filed properly?
- If I had to pay 42 cents to send this email, would I?
Email checklist
Before you hit send on that next email, perhaps you should run down this list, just to be sure:
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09 Oct 08
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26 Aug 08
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17 Jul 08
Richard GauthierBefore you hit send on that next email, perhaps you should run down this list, just to be sure:
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06 Jul 08
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04 Jul 08
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27 Jun 08
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24 Jun 08
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23 Jun 08
Craig RettigBefore you hit send on that next email, perhaps you should run down this list, just to be sure
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21 Jun 08
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20 Jun 08
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19 Jun 08
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17 Jun 08
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16 Jun 08
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15 Jun 08
Barbara NixonBefore you hit send on that next email, perhaps you should run down this list, just to be sure:
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12 Jun 08
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11 Jun 08
nostariel tinuvielBefore you hit send on that next email, perhaps you should run down this list, just to be sure:
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10 Jun 08
Michael RichardsI will be reviewing this list with my staff in the fall. It serves as a good reminder about how email should be used properly and ethically.
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09 Jun 08
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08 Jun 08
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07 Jun 08
Lynne BAm I forwarding something about a virus or worldwide charity effort or other potential hoax? (If so, check with Snopes for truthiness.) Is there a long legal disclaimer at the bottom of my email? Why? If I had to pay 42 cents to send this email, would I?
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06 Jun 08
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05 Jun 08
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Cedric Weberrethink email!
mzungus email business communication for:vintagetom for:powtac for:7ty9 for:fiftyeight
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Colleen WainwrightHoly crap moly. I wish everyone in the world who sends email ever could read this. Had a tough time keeping this one under the clipping limit.
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mathew ☕Before sending a commercial e-mail, run through this list.
email manners spam productivity work todo attention advertising
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Denis De MesmaekerIf I had to pay 42 cents to send this email, would I?
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Brent SordylBefore you hit send on that next email, perhaps you should run down this list, just to be sure
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Am I angry? (If so, save as draft and come back to the note in one hour).
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Is there a long legal disclaimer at the bottom of my email? Why?
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If I had to pay 42 cents to send this email, would I?
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