Email, texting, instant messages and shared calendars can be effective and efficient ways to communicate. But because they are so easy to access, these forms of electronic communication are also ripe for misuse and abuse.
With all of the digital information at our fingertips, there is no excuse for using incorrect spelling or bad grammar. A quick proofread to correct obvious misspellings, bad sentence structure or words with unclear meaning is appreciated in every medium.
Tone matters, too. People hear your tone of voice in your writing and it will affect how they interpret the meaning of your message. Reading what you write back to yourself out loud, in your conversational voice, is one of the best ways to check the tone of any message before you send, tweet or post.
In business, texting is probably the only medium in which the use of text abbreviations is acceptable, but even here they should be used with caution. Remember that clarity of communication is one of the objectives in business. Avoid OMG entirely as it can give offense. Safest route? If it's business, spell it out.
Another firmly established online convention is to avoid typing in all capital letters as it signifies that you are shouting your message.
With so many communication media to choose from, the medium you choose becomes an important part of the message you send.
A handwritten note lends extra weight to thanks for a job interview, gift or meal.
A well-formatted email resume sent to a tech firm shows respect for a paperless office culture.
If you have been working late on a project and have a breakthrough, an email to your boss might be appreciated.
Your ability to handle email well is a big part of your professional reputation. People usually expect a reply to email the same day or within twenty-four hours.
Whether you prefer to keep all your work communications confined to email or would rather receive work-related messages outside the office via text is up to you. Either is okay but establish your preferences and boundaries with your coworkers.
The 3rd edition of "The Etiquette Advantage in Business" touches on all aspects of business etiquette today, from why manners matter in the modern world to how ethical behavior and etiquette are intertwined. This new edition has advice for everyone from the job seeker to the C-Suite occupant. This updated edition focuses on areas that are particularly germane to the 21st century: data communications and relationships for anyone who texts, blogs, comments or emails with easy-to-remember tips.
Source: Peter Post: The Etiquette Advantage in Business, Third Edition: Personal Skills for Professional Success