The most common type of other online promotion is the participation in newsgroups, mailing lists, or bulletin boards. However, participation in these groups are governed by some sometimes unspoken rules of “Netiquette.” Here are a few that might make your experience, less likely to be “flamed.”

• It is perfectly okay to use your signature in your postings. However, remember that the artistic renderings with * ) ^, etc. are not always welcome and most of the time frowned upon.
• When replying to a post, include only the relative parts of the posting, including the original poster and the sentence or two you are responding about.
• If you are responding to an individual, remember to check your “To” box to assure you are not responding to the list.
• If you have a problem with someone on the list, take your concerns off the list. It is very inappropriate to flame someone by posting to the entire list.
• Don’t post a message from a particular list to another list or person without receiving prior permission. Many lists nowadays maintain some guidelines about the reuse of material being posted to the list. Besides it is just common courtesy to ask before you use.
• Avoid using HTML for your e-mail as it takes longer to load and looks like garbage on many digests from lists.
• Use smiles and emoticons to show emotion in your e-mail. Smiles :-) A wink ;-) Grin <g> Rolling on the floor laughing ROFL. These all can help your e-mail have personality.
• Remember that e-mail takes up bandwidth. Try to be as clear and to the point as possible — remember focus.

(Editor’s Note: Debbie Buxton is the owner of Infoword Services. She may be reached at (360) 830-0992, or dbuxton@infoword.com.)