If Tip Diva receives one more forward noting that Bill Gates will pay her $1 for each person she sends the e-mail to, she’s going to scream. If you are an ignorant inbox clogger, it’s time to brush up on your e-mail etiquette for everyone else’s sanity:

• Do Not Incessantly Forward - Sending a joke or a useful website once in a while okay; forwarding everything that hits your inbox is not. Spare others the pain of e-mails that begin FW: FW: FW: FW: FW: Funny joke!!
• Do Not Forward Chain Letters Or Hoaxes - Little Johnny is not going to die if you don’t send the chain letter out, nor will you receive a $500 gift certificate from Applebee’s. Also beware of forwards warning you about viruses, because you might wind up accidentally deleting needed files like susceptible AOL users did in 2001. If you’re not sure if the e-mail is a chain letter or hoax, check out Snopes before sending.
• Do Not Spam People - If you have something to say, try to say it in as little e-mail as possible. Also, don’t start blasting off your religious or political views to everyone in your address book - recipients will likely get annoyed and delete the e-mail anyway.
• Lay Off The “Reply All” Button - If you receive e-mail as part of a group, be careful before hitting the “Reply All” button. If your reply is just targeted to original sender, there is no need to send it to everyone else, as well. It just fills people’s inboxes with a load of useless e-mail.
• Make Sure Your E-Mail Is In An Appropriate Tone - Smiley faces and acronyms like LOL are appropriate when e-mailing your best friend or sibling; they are not when you’re e-mailing co-workers or other professionals. If you’re speaking with business associates, conduct yourself as you would a business letter.
• Double Check Who You’re Sending The E-Mail To - Many e-mail programs have a handy auto-fill option which will fill in an entire e-mail address even if you’ve typed in a few letters. Well, your e-mail might end up in the wrong hands, so make sure you’re sending it to the right person. You don’t want the steamy note to your boyfriend landing in your mother’s inbox, do you?
• Include A Subject Line - Always include a subject line, and do note if the e-mail is urgent or important in the subject lines. A blank subject line is often conveyed as not important.
• Notify Recipient Before Sending Attachments - If you’re going to send files or documents, let the recipient know in a separate e-mail before sending them. E-mail addresses are often mimicked with viruses hidden behind them. This will ensure the recipient that you are not sending bad files.
• Do Not Forward Or Copy E-Mails Without Permission - If you receive an e-mail from someone of a personal nature, do not copy it or forward it without their permission.
• Do Not Discuss Confidential Information - Never discuss confidential information in an e-mail. It can be stored on a computer or easily read by someone else. Keep confidential information to personal conversations via phone or in person.

• Top Ten Tips - Typing A Business Letter (8)
• Top Ten Tips - Sending Out Event Invitations (1)
• Top Ten Tips - Preparing Yourself For A Job Search (4)
• Top Ten Tips - Being A Courteous Host (5)
• Top Ten Tips - Behaving Appropriately At Work (1)