In personal relationships the conventions of behaviour are called etiquette. In
e-mail we have netiquette - a set of rules for e-mail that have evolved from experience. All your emotions and subtleties have to be incorporated into what you write, so misunderstandings are easy to create.

Here are my tips for better netiquette:

Never leave a response too long. It's common courtesy to respond to a message as quickly as you can - even if you have to say that a detailed response will be sent later.
Ensure correct e-mail addresses. Correctly addressed
e-mail messages are received within seconds, but it can take a while to receive an error message letting you know that an incorrectly addressed message wasn't delivered. Get your e-mail addresses right first time.
Take off the caps lock. DON'T SHOUT! Even though you want to get noticed, please do not use capitals in e-mail messages - this is like shouting - it is rude and will usually be counter- productive. And also ... NEVER RESORT TO EXCESSIVE PUNCTUATION*@!!**?!!!!
Initiate informality. Replace formal salutations like "Dear Leslie" with "Hi Leslie" or even just "Leslie". Similarly, replace "Yours sincerely" with "Best wishes" or some other informal closing. (Try to avoid the overused 'Regards' and horribly abbreviated things like Tx and Tnks & Rgs!)
Question your subject heading. People are most likely to read important looking
e-mails first. Give your messages a clear and specific subject heading that will get noticed.
Use short sentences and short paragraphs. The shorter your messages, the more likely they will be read and understood. Remember to paragraph just the same as in other business documents.
Enumerate with numbers or bullets. Present your messages attractively. Use numbers, bullets or sub-headings if possible - this will add to the clarity of your message.
Tidy up long sentences to eliminate waffle. Tapping away at the keyboard as you think, it is easy to allow sentences to become too long. Read through your message carefully and improve clarity and understanding.
Take a pride in your finished message. Make sure your message is accurate, brief and clear as well as attractively presented. In this way it will be understood and will achieve the desired results.
Ensure everything is right before you hit 'send'. You cannot call an e-mail back for second thoughts, so get it right first time!

No matter who you are or what you do, your voice reveals a lot about you. Studies have shown that your vocal qualities account for 84 percent a person's impression of you on the telephone. To have a more likeable and confident telephone voice, follow any or all of these five quick tips.

1. Photo - Look at a photo of someone you love or something that inspires you to remain consistently positive and upbeat.
2. Smile - When we smile our voices naturally become warmer, brighter and friendlier. (Some sales and customer service professionals even put a mirror in front of them while they work to check their attitude.)
3. Stand Up - On an important telephone call or even when you record your voice mail, stand up. This will generate energy in your body and your voice. (If circumstances make it difficult for you to stand, sit alert with your back erect, feet on the floor and buttocks towards the front of your chair.)
4. Script It - Scripting your introductory calls and incoming or outgoing messages can make you sound more articulate and self assured.
   • Does your voice mail say something like 'Hi! This is (your name). I'm currently unavailable to answer your call. Please leave your name and number and I'll return your call as soon as possible. Thanks a lot and have a great day!'? Or does a computerised voice say, 'Box 3709 - leave a message at the tone'?
   • Taking a few minutes to write a simple script, practicing it while smiling and standing up, and then recording it while looking at your favorite picture or screensaver, will work wonders to create a better impression and leave people with a positive experience of who you are.
   • To have fun with this you can even play your favorite instrumental music in the background of your voicemail.
5. Speak slower - In today's global environment most people do not share the same native tongue. Especially if you are communicating with someone that may be fluent in a language different than your own, slow down and enunciate clearly. This will give your listener time to absorb what you are saying and in some cases adjust to your accent or translate your words back to their first language for improved comprehension.

We all prefer to interact with people we like and relate with. You can authentically share yourself and connect with others by following these simple steps to lift your spirit and your voice. Invest a few minutes to sound better and you will repeatedly reap rewards for your efforts.

This article was written by Deborah Torres Patel. Deborah helps ordinary people become extraordinary communicators. Get free video training and many more powerful voice, presentation and public speaking tips like how to be more exciting when you speak at: http://www.expressingyou.com.
Copyright 2006 ~ Deborah Torres Patel ~ All rights reserved. For permission or to republish this article, please contact info@expressingyou.com.

It was great to share the morning with 60 HR and Training Managers in March at Shirley and Ricky's Training Forum. Ricky and I addressed the issue "How to make training work, for you, for your participants, and for your company". Here's a photo of me and Ricky at this special event.

That's all for this month. See you again in May.

Shirley xx