• DVM360_Conference_Charlotte,NC_banner
  • ACVCACVC
  • DVM 360
  • Fetch DVM 360Fetch DVM 360
DVM 360
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
By Role
AssociatesOwnersPractice ManagerStudentsTechnicians
Subscriptions
dvm360 Newsletterdvm360 Magazine
News
All News
Association
Breaking News
Education
Equine
FDA
Law & Ethics
Market Trends
Medical
Politics
Products
Recalls
Regulatory
Media
dvm360 LIVE!™
Expert Interviews
The Vet Blast Podcast
Medical World News
Pet Connections
The Dilemma Live
Vet Perspectives™
Weekly Newscast
dvm360 Insights™
Publications
All Publications
dvm360
Firstline
Supplements
Vetted
Clinical
All Clinical
Anesthesia
Animal Welfare
Behavior
Cardiology
CBD in Pets
Dentistry
Dermatology
Diabetes
Emergency & Critical Care
Endocrinology
Equine Medicine
Exotic Animal Medicine
Feline Medicine
Gastroenterology
Imaging
Infectious Diseases
Integrative Medicine
Nutrition
Oncology
Ophthalmology
Orthopedics
Pain Management
Parasitology
Surgery
Toxicology
Urology & Nephrology
Virtual Care
Business
All Business
Business & Personal Finance
Hospital Design
Personnel Management
Practice Finances
Practice Operations
Wellbeing & Lifestyle
Continuing Education
Conferences
Conference Listing
Conference Proceedings
Upcoming dvm360 Conferences
Resources
CBD in Pets
CE Requirements by State
Contests
Partners
Spotlight Series
Team Meeting in a Box
Toolkit
Top Recommended Veterinary Products
Vet to Vet
Veterinary Heroes
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Advertisement
By Role
  • Associates
  • Owners
  • Practice Manager
  • Students
  • Technicians
Subscriptions
  • dvm360 Newsletter
  • dvm360 Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us
  • MJHLS Brand Logo

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences™ and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

5 tips for savvy e-communications

September 1, 2006
Rebecca Hart

As we communicate more through e-mail, electronic etiquette is evolving. Make sure you're evolving, too.

People have strong notions of what constitutes good manners in the wired era, and increasingly colleagues and clients make lasting impressions about you and your veterinary clinic based on e-mail exchanges. Here are five ways to be sure you're making the most of this popular form of business communication:

Corporate Issues, Getty Images Inc.

1. Keep it simple

E-mail should be concise. Long messages are hard to read, especially on mobile devices. If you need to discuss something complicated, consider setting a time to talk by phone or in person, and use an e-mail to confirm the details of the meeting.

2. Don't embarrass yourself

Advertisement

Proofread your e-mails before sending them. Using your computer's software to check for misspelled words is the first step, but also review messages yourself. Remember software recognizes misspelled words, but not misused words. E-mailed messages are also about as confidential as a postcard. So make sure you'd be comfortable if someone forwarded your message. Finally, don't use ALL CAPS. It's the online equivalent of shouting, TRUST ME.

3. Explain forwarded messages

When you forward an e-mail, include a mention of why you're forwarding it before the quoted message. And make sure you verify messages before forwarding them. Of course, you shouldn't edit quoted messages to change the overall meaning. And finally: I give you permission to end the line on chain mails. (Hopefully, nothing bad will happen to you!)

4. Be aware of attachments

Most e-mail programs make it easy to send binary attachments, such as images or word processing documents. Seek permission to send attachments to recipients who are leery of viruses, and verify that the recipient did get the attachment and was able to open it without any problems.

Clear the clutter

5. Use signature lines wisely

Most mailers let you create signature lines that automatically paste on the end of messages sent. This tool is useful to identify you and give recipients alternative ways to contact you.

Some guidelines: Keep yours short. Large signature files—more than four lines—are generally considered excessive. If you don't use a signature line, include your name, title, company, and contact information at the end of the message.

Rebecca Hart, an accredited public relations professional, is a consultant and the co-founder of www.thevetzone.com, a Web site offering tools and information for veterinary professionals.

Related Content:

Practice OperationsTechnologyOwners
Communicating the importance of genetic screening
Communicating the importance of genetic screening
Increasing efficiency and productivity in uncertain times
Increasing efficiency and productivity in uncertain times
Veterinary scene Down Under: Universal health record program plus a veterinary sailor’s victory
Veterinary scene Down Under: Universal health record program plus a veterinary sailor’s victory

Advertisement

Latest News

Communicating the importance of genetic screening

Purina announces its 2023 Pet Care Innovation Prize winners

AmeriVet Veterinary Partners deemed a 2022 Business of the Year

This week on dvm360.com: The Vet Blast Podcast kicks off National Pet Dental Health Month

View More Latest News
Advertisement