Basic rules of netiquette

Successful relationships, whether in our personal or professional lives, depend on effective communication.

In today’s world most of the meetings occur online, communication isn’t just a nice skill to have – it’s essential. Good communication can be the difference the way you answer an email or what you say on social media directly affects people’s perceptions of you.

Now that such a considerable amount of our daily lives is facilitated by the internet, digital communication skills are essential to ensure messages are delivered and received correctly. We are lucky to have incredible 4G connectivity to help us communicate digitally.

Teleconferencing programs, group chat apps, and other digital tools are part of everyday life now as we attempt to strike a balance between isolation and connection. 

As we all know, there aren’t many chances to improve the first impression. Some of you may have heard the term “netiquette” being used in online circles. Netiquette defined simply refers to the code of courtesy and respect followed when communicating with others on the Internet. 

Start speaking at a normal volume when talking over the phone or video chat. Be as polite as you would be in offline encounters.

Do not send emails and text messages in ALL CAPS. Writing in all caps can oftentimes be interpreted as YELLING! and will be viewed as impolite. Make sure your emails are easy to read.

Avoid sending spam to others, keep your messages meaningful. Don’t send forwarded content created by others. 

Be yourself. Don’t say anything to anyone you wouldn’t say in person. Don’t be funny, sarcastic, passive or aggressive. A joke can oftentimes be perceived as a rude remark. A light-hearted joke can be viewed differently in text. While in-person, we communicate with the help of facial expressions and gestures. Conveying the same message online can prove more challenging.

Tone is important when you can’t speak in person. Chances of miscommunication are high when you’re relying on communication through the phone or computer. Sometimes things just go wrong. 

Stay on topic. When there is a discussion happening, it’s crucial that everyone stays on topic. Make sure that you understand what the discussion is about and only reply with things relevant to it. 

Use respectful language. It’s not just what you say, but how you say it.

Don’t let your point get lost in translation by typing too many unnecessary words. 

Online communication can easily be improved through proofreading. Check for: Grammar and punctuation errors, Poor sentence structure, Incorrect use of tenses. Use real words and complete sentences, and skip the emojis.

Verify facts before sharing information. You should be careful when providing information. It’s important to fact-check everything you read and possibly include sources when giving advice or information.

Being open to guidance and feedback, which means researching different options and tools of communication.