Oh, %$#&^*, I didn’t mean to do that!

Ever hear those words coming out of your own mouth?   They usually follow immediately AFTER you hit the SEND button on an email you did not mean to send!

I am sure we have all had that wonderful experience.   Here are some very important tips to remember, especially when sending business emails.

First, NEVER put anything in an email that you would not like the whole world to see, because they just MIGHT.   Remember that email is forever.   Even if you delete it, it is still out there somewhere in the Cloud for others to find and use.   If you doubt this, you can just ask a few Ex-Congressmen about it!   If it is important, or is sensitive information, pick up the phone or meet in person.

Second, please DO NOT use Text Message acronyms in a business email.   You may have seen LOL, or CUL, CSL, or one of my personal favorites, WDALYIC!   These are fine for text messages or Twitter posts, but definitely not for business emails.   I suspect most of those of us in the over 30+ crowd don’t know what they mean anyway!.   If you are internet speak challenged, like I am, here is a link to a site that can help   www.netlingo.com

FINALLY, please DO NOT hit that *(**%  Reply All button unless you really need to!     Think of this before you hit that button.   If someone sends you an Email with just 20 recipients, and each person hits that Reply All button, 400 unecessary emails were just created!   I don’t know about you, but I have enough trouble just managing my regular Emails and all the SPAM I get, let alone 20 more with “Ditto”, or I’ll be there, or some other such nonsense.   Oh, Bill Gates, jsut where is that “Are You Sure” button?

Randy Moberg, CLTC

Chief Operating Officer

L/B/W Insurance & Financial Services, Inc.

www.lbwinsurance.com