Communication can be defined as the process of understanding and sharing meanings (J. Pearson & P. Nelson, 2000). Although this concept applies to all types of communication, additional elements such as preparation, practice, and perseverance are needed when it comes to effective communication. This is especially important for those who want to start or have started their own business, because communication will be critical to the success of the venture. Oral and written communication skills are consistently ranked among the top ten desired skills by employer surveys year after year. Building on this, one way for an entrepreneur to succeed is to increase his or her effective speaking and writing skills. This activity will consider the form of online written communication and the proper ways to put it into practice.
In fact, it is of particular importance for businesses to maintain proper behavior on the web and social media so as to give a good image of themselves to potential customers. Therefore, following a set of rules for proper and polite online communication becomes even more necessary for them than for others. This set of rules is called Netiquette, that governs an Internet user's polite behavior in relation to other users through resources such as mailing lists, forums, blogs, social networks, or e-mail in general. Remember, what is published online remains. Before expressing thoughts, considerations and feelings, it is also good to keep in mind the zero principle of the internet: what you write or publish on the web remains and has its own relevance both empathically and legally, just like the actions you take in a real dimension with the interlocutor in front of you and not behind the screen. One more reason to apply the principles of digital etiquette.
Regulated in 1995 by the IETF working group within the Responsible Use of the Network (RUN) text, so far it has been continuously updated and adapted according to new media.
Even so, it is possible to report some commonly shared rules:
- Respect: Treating everyone with courtesy, kindness, and appreciation, even if you disagree with them.
- Appropriate Language: Refraining from profanity and slander and using language that is appropriate for the situation. It also means to avoid writing in CAPITAL letters, which on the web, by convention, is equivalent to shouting and an aggressive tone.
- Privacy: Respect other people's privacy by avoiding discussing personal matters without their permission. This includes a ban on publishing personal information and sensitive data of other users without first asking for consent, if any. Please also remember not to infringe the copyright of the content available on the network.
- Be professional and courteous: respect colleagues and show understanding of different opinions. Also, be aware of your digital footprint, and don't be afraid to ask questions.
- Be mindful of the impact of your words: be judicious with criticism and constructive with feedback.
To learn and teach more about netiquette and its rules, you can use the resources and literature references at the end of this learning material.