The World of Grandpa Don
Perfectly Imperfect EmailAn Answer for Nicole
The following email showed up in my in-box last week. I copied it below because the writer has a problem, ... actually several problems.
Hello,
sorry to be a pain but i have no idea what to do i have forgotten my
password and secrect answer for my msn because i was having problems
with hackers on my account i put my secrect question as nah nah nah and
i have forgotten the answer do u know how i could get that information
back or where i could write to or anywhere?????? i really wanna get back
to using it my computer as been out of use of msn foe about 7 months
that is why i have forgotten the information but if u could write back
or whateva that would be a great help!!!
Thanx
Nicole
To start with, I have no idea as to the identity of Nicole. Then, there is her problem with her internet provider. How she was able to send an email is a mystery. The answer of course is for her to get on the phone to MSN (not "msn") and they will get her going again. As for the message itself, well ... it is a perfectly imperfect example of the kind of email about which I have keep complaining.
By coincidence, the following was part of my weekly newsletter from the Newbie Club.
"Your Email Reveals More Than You Realize"
Any email you send is a reflection of your personality. Even tiny oversights can change the tone of your message, and upset - even enrage - the recipient without intention.
Far too many emails are sent without regard to spelling and grammar, and this gives the reader the impression that you are unprofessional and untidy. Yes, the Internet is a 'casual' medium, but that's no excuse for omitting things like your name, or not saying 'please' or 'thank you' when asking for help or advice.
As an example, how do you think we at The Newbie Club
feel when we receive an email like this...
---------------------------
how do i copy and paste from word to publisher. i need a answer quikly.
--------------------------
Notice there is NO introduction. No 'Please' or 'Thank you. No
signature. NO capitalization of the I's. And it's badly spelled.
However well intended, the email reads as a DEMAND for free help, from someone who hasn't even made the effort to present it in a reasonable manner. It even borders on the arrogant. Even though we wouldn't refuse to answer, many other people - 'normal' human beings - will probably REFUSE to answer it.
------ "Yet All It Takes Is A Little
Forethought" Or even Fivethought! Check your grammar. Use a
spellchecker to correct the spelling. An introduction and a signature
like this ...
-------------------------
Hi, I wonder if you can help me please? Can you tell me how to copy and paste from Word to Publisher? I'm desperate to find out and would appreciate your help.
Thank you.
John Smith.
------------------------
The second email probably took a few seconds longer to write, and will
invariably get a more positive response.
Back to Nicole's email to me. Nicole did include her first name, kind of a please, and a "Thanx". I have no idea why she contacted me with her problem. She may be the friend of a friend, ... or she may have seen the "Computer" page on Grandpa Don's World, ... or she may be trying to verify my email address for a porn site. I DID NOT REPLY!
So, to all of you Nicole's out there remember ... "Your email reveals more than you realize". You could be giving the impression that you are an uneducated clod or at the very least, you don't care a bit about the person with whom you are trying to communicate.
Oh yes, ... join the Newbie Club. I have been into computing for 22 years and find it educational.
You can get your own copy of the Newbie Club Newsletter when you become a Newbie Club Member at http://newbieclub.com ....
Membership is FREE.
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Perfectly Imperfect Email |
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The
World of Grandpa Don www.plefka.net |
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by The JavaScript Source | |
