Email has become one of the primary ways we communicate with colleagues and clients, yet it is amazing how many e-mails are sent where basic etiquette rules are not followed. A recent example of this was an e-mail that stated "I will not be there and don't have time to meet you".   It is easy to respond politely to an e-mail and by doing so you will be perceived as an intelligent and caring person who can be trusted. Below are five tips to assist you in "sending without offending".

Mind your Manners. Remember to use "please" and "thank you" and make sure your e-mail includes a courteous greeting and closing.  If you are writing an emotionally charged e-mail, walk away before sending. Give yourself time to calm down and then reread the e-mail to make sure that your response is appropriate and maintains a civil tone.

Get to the Point. Be concise. Most people don't have a lot of time to spend on email, so make sure you get to your point as quickly as possible.

Include a Signature Block. Nothing is more annoying than having to try and contact the sender and find there is no contact information in the email. Include a signature block or contact information on all e-mails, including replies and forwards.

Reply to All only when needed. Only use "Reply to All" if each person that received the original message needs to see the reply. Be very careful how you use "Reply to All" and "cc" in a business environment. Doing so to "subtlety tattle" can backfire and have you viewed as petty or insecure.

Answer Quickly. Respond to each email within 24 hours. If you cannot respond to an email promptly, at the very least email back confirming your receipt and when the sender can expect your response.

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