For many businesses, e-mail proves to be one of the most convenient ways to communicate. While it might lack the more personal approach of face-to-face conversation or a phone call, no one can deny its efficiency and speed to convey messages. However, I still observe a lot of people who tend to stray into the common pitfalls of using e-mail. We’ve pointed out six common but serious ones.

Using unprofessional addresses. I did some headhunting for a few times and it always disappoints me to get a resume from babemacker@[domain].com. If you want to be taken seriously, better use an address that uses your own name. Such casual e-mail addresses just scream immature and childish.

The vague subject line. And yet another issue that plagues most e-mail writers nowadays is the use of vague subject lines. “Hi” is probably one of the most common lines that most spam filters automatically filter them out. Try using something like “August 2007 Progress Report for Derby Project.”

Not using BCC. This is pretty typical for those welcome spam messages for friends. Mass sending e-mails? People need some privacy too, you know. It really irritates me to see my e-mail address carelessly sent all over the internet through those chain e-mails. If you plan to send it out to a lot of people use the BCC for those who would wish some e-mail privacy. Besides, that’s how spammers often get their next victims.

Sending to the wrong person. Be sure to double-check the To line to make sure that you’re sending e-mail only to your intended recipients.

Not using standard language. Avoid using 1337 or text language. Be sure to follow standard grammar and the principles of good writing. Carry a professional tone too. E-mail might be an alternative form of communication but that doesn’t make it right to be overly casual. Proofread before clicking that send button.

Overloading attachments. Depending on where people are located, there are still some who are connected to the web using dial-up speeds. So avoid chunking megabytes of attachments.