With emails becoming an integral part of corporate culture and communication, the manner in which they are written is of utmost importance. How many times have we been left completely baffled by an official email?

It has preyed on our minds and we have wondered at length how to react to it. And the best part is that, in most cases, the sender could not be bothered to send a 'proper' email.

Since emails comprise the bulk of communication, email etiquette has gained importance as it ensures professionalism, efficiency and helps in maintaining a proper record. So here are a few tips that can help you escape those communication troubles.

Keep it short

Always try keeping your emails short and simple. However, emails, while being concise and to the point also need to include all the necessary details and relevant background information that the receiver may require.

Saying it right

Suchithra Lal, working with a media house, says, "Even if you have a friendly relationship with your boss or colleague, an email should be formal in nature. The tone, however, can be conversational and friendly."

Also remember that written language does not convey the nuances of a verbal communication -- so sarcasm or subtlety could be lost on receiver, leading to a lot of misunderstanding.

Express polite gestures

Everybody has his/her distinctive writing style but the thumb rule is that you should always be polite. Keying in those little words like 'Thank you', 'Please', 'Regards' may seem time consuming, but they go a long way in fomenting relationships.

Personal emails can include abbreviations and even emoticons but they are a strict no-no in business emails. As Madhu Sharma, managing editor in a publishing house, points out, "Abbreviations could mean many things: 'lol' can mean 'lots of luck' or 'laugh out loud'. So how will a reader know what you are referring to?"

Not always 'cool'

Funky email ids may add that extra zing to your personality but may not stand in good stead in the corporate world. As Suchithra points out, "An email from an id on the lines of 'crazykool' may be mistaken for spam and be deleted." Even if the email is not considered spam, it can portray a wrong impression.