Maybe it’s time – it’s probably too late – for some email etiquette.

There are few things that can be done to make email what it was supposed to be. The elimination of this junk “correspondence” will go a long way to another goal: improving communication by this means. No one has talked about this so maybe it’s time for some email etiquette. Here are the rules that should be put into practice:

1. Each individual is limited to sending one email per day to each recipient.

If you send an email and get one back and then decide to follow up with another to this person on the same day, it’s time to pick up the phone.

2. No Ponzi schemes of any kind are allowed.

Avoid sending stuff with a threat that they will have to sit with an insurance salesman for the entire afternoon if they don’t pass on what you sent to ten others.

3. If you plan to send jokes or humor of any kind, make sure it’s funny, not racist, sexist or condescending and above all, get new material.

If there won’t be laughs without these considerations, don’t send it. You can always pick on politicians, lawyers, agents and businessmen – they’re still fair game until they clean up their acts. On too many occasions, I get the same funny material over and over and it’s old stuff – some of which I included in my books or unpublished manuscripts. Either this person didn’t read that book or he is a speed reader – he reads without comprehension.

4. An email with no subject should never be sent.

If the title is “no subject,” it appears that you have nothing to transmit, so don’t send it.

5. A greeting and signature is always an example of civility, so use them both and avoid emails that are one word or less.

You really don’t need to send just the two words, “Thank you.” If you really feel you should, add a bit more to the message. I get many emails without the names of the sender. Should I reply, “Hi no name or senior moment person?”

6. Don’t send epics.

People don’t care to read long, boring emails so keep it short and to the point. If you go on and on, you are not being concise and people won’t read what you sent. I certainly won’t.

7. If you get an email demanding a response, answer it.

Why have an email address, if you are not going to check to see what is in your inbox, so you can reply? Above all, don’t wait three months to respond. Perhaps it would be better not to give out your address if you have no intention of answering. Checking your email three times a year is not very considerate.

8. If someone emails you with something that isn’t too nice, don’t respond.

Answering means you have crawled into the gutter with the sender. If you still feel you must respond, wait at least a day before doing so.

9. Don’t send links or FWs.

If you have to send the latter, at least go to the subject and remove those two letters.

10. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.