使用電子郵件的十大誤區
誤區一：使用含糊不清的主題。“開會”、“更新”或“問題”這種字眼不適合作爲郵件主題，儘量讓主題包含更多的信息。這樣一來，使用個人掌上設備(PDA)收發郵件的人就能很快了解情況，每個人都喜歡清晰明瞭的總結式標題。五到十個字的主題就能溝通很多信息，如“上週會議紀要及行動計劃”。
1. Using vague subject lines. 'Meeting,' 'Update,' or 'Question' provide no value as subject lines. Maximize the subject line's message. PDA users will get the message quickly; everyone will appreciate the clear summary. You can communicate plenty in a five to 10 word subject line: 'Your Action Items and Minutes from Last Week's Meeting.'
誤區二：不開門見山。首先就要把重要的信息說出來：把日期、最後期限和完成目標放在頭三行之內（如果主題中沒有說明的話）。由於PDA顯示的侷限性、時間壓力、文化差異以及價值取向，很多收件人可能只看郵件的頭幾行內容。
2. Burying the news. Convey the important points first: put dates, deadlines and deliverables in the first one to three lines of the message (if not also in the subject line). PDA limitations, time pressures, cultural distinctions and value judgments keep many readers from reading further.
誤區三：使用“密件抄送”(BCC)選項。即使從好裏說，密件抄送功能也顯得有點偷偷摸摸，而且存在一定風險。從壞裏說，密件抄送是一種欺騙和不道德的行爲。而且，收件人有時會選擇“全部回覆”，這樣就會發現存在密件抄送方。你應該先把郵件發給主收件人，不使用密件抄送功能，然後將已發郵件轉發給其他方，並附上一個簡要說明。
3. Hiding behind the 'BCC' field. At best, the 'blind copy' field is sneaky and risky. At worst, it's deceitful or unethical. Plus, blind recipients sometimes hit 'reply all,' revealing the deception. Post the initial message and BCC no one. Then forward your sent message to others with a brief explanation.
誤區四：喜歡用之前冗長的郵件往來內容來說事。很少有收件人願意費力翻閱列在郵件正文後面的前期往來信息。應該把你的立場觀點在正文中擺明，即便附後的內容也有所交待。單單回覆“好的”太籠統，不如把話講全，說：“好的，給你僱五個臨時工的額外費用。”
4. Failing to clean up the mess of earlier replies/forwards. Few readers will wade through strings of previous messages. State your position clearly, even if context follows below in the email string. 'Yes' helps less than 'Yes, you can have the extra funding to hire 5 temporary workers.'
誤區五：忽視語法和結構。PDA的使用讓人們對語法錯誤更爲寬容，但這也意味着如果你的書寫表達準確無誤，人們會對你刮目相看。
5. Ignoring grammar and mechanics. PDAs have granted us certain sloppy flexibility, which means you'll impress readers even more when you write precisely.
誤區六：不想寫長郵件，即使言之有物。有時，郵件的內容越長，說得就越明白，這樣就不用再添加附件，省得收件人打開附件時還要進行安全掃描。因此，不要害怕寫長郵件，但要把內容的脈絡結構理清楚。
6. Avoiding necessarily long emails. Longer messages sometimes work best; they can help avoid attachments' hassle and security fuss. Don't fear long emails but outline your structure.
誤區七：段落過長，內容太密集，讓人讀起來頭昏腦漲。郵件的長度並不會讓人望而生畏，但大段大段的排版卻會如此。
7. Mashing everything together into bulky, imposing, inaccessible paragraphs. Length does not discourage reading; bulk does.
誤區八：忽視收件人的感受。要記住，雖然我們看不到對方，也聽不到對方的聲音，但電子郵件是一種真人之間的交流。
8. Neglecting the human beings at the other end. Email travels between actual people, even though we don't see or hear each other directly.
誤區九：認爲發郵件是最好的溝通方式。電子郵件並不總是最佳的溝通方式。想讓身邊的人快速回答一個問題？不如直接去找他。發了郵件卻沒得到回覆，想提醒對方？給他打個電話。希望更正式一點？那就寫一封信函。想解釋一個複雜或者敏感的問題？不妨開個會。
9. Thinking email works best. Email is not always the best way to communicate. Need a quick answer from someone nearby? Stop by for a visit. Want a reply to unanswered emails? Pick up the phone. Looking for more gravitas? Mail a letter. Need to explain a complex or sensitive situation? Arrange a meeting.
誤區十：忘了電子郵件永垂不朽。大多數的人都閃電般地閱讀、發送和刪除自己的電子郵件。但有一點千萬不能忘記：電子郵件永遠存儲在某個服務器上，如果我們在郵件中犯了什麼錯誤，冒犯了什麼人，或導致了什麼困惑，到時候郵件就是最容易轉發給別人的證據。
10. Forgetting that email lasts forever. Most of us read, send and discard emails at lightning speeds. But don't forget that emails remain on a server somewhere as easy-to-forward proof of any error, offense or obfuscation we made.
