TheJoey.Net

Email correspondence is my normal and most practiced form of communication because of the convenience for both parties. It allows you to quickly send a message to someone and know (in most cases) they will get it the next time they check their inbox. I feel it’s also better than instant messaging or phone conversations in some instances because it allows me to think about what I want to say. However, with the amount of emailing I do, I notice many people don’t know how to write what I deem a proper email.

Since I am a TA, I get a lot of emails from students like this:

Hey do u take off for late assignments

This is sometimes forgivable as it’s mostly freshmen who are relatively new to email as the defacto form of communication. I am sure when I was a freshman my emails weren’t up to my own current standards. However, even dealing with clients I get some of those emails that come off as less than professional. Using SMS shorthand or incorrect punctuation, spelling errors, etc. are some of the problems I run into. Here is an example of what I would say is a proper email:

Joe,
I hope all is well. I was wondering if you took off for late assignments.

Thanks,
Jim Student

The later email includes some important details the sooner email lacked. Here are some ground rules for a good email:

• Address/Greet the person you are writing. It looks better and it ensure you know who are you contacting. The greeting might not be necessary, but it shows you care at least a little.
• Use proper grammar. This isn’t instant messenger and your emails will be read more carefully. You don’t want to be judged on simple grammatical errors. Also, use real words- not shorthand. “U” instead of “you” might be ok for texting or IMing, but it’s not for email.
• Spell check! I’ve been guilty of this from time to time, but now that most browsers have spell check built in, there is really no excuse. This goes along the same lines as grammar checking- and this is much easier to avoid.
• Sign your name. Let the person you are contacting know who is emailing him. Usually for the first email I will also include my last name, and then drop it in any replies. This one drives me crazy because, especially with my students, I deal with a lot of people and don’t always recognize the email address.

These four simple checks will make for an infinitely better, more professional looking email which in turn reflects better on you. Did I leave anything out? Disagree with me? Let me know in the comments.

posted on March 26th, 2008 in Business, Thoughts| | show comments » « hide comments

If you are anything like me, you are always connected to the Internet in some fashion. I have 2 laptops, a desktop, a blackberry and most recently, an iPod Touch (more on that later). Because of this, I get my email right when it’s sent to me unless I’m asleep or without my phone(which is veryrare). I am always tempted to respond right away, just as I do with text or instant messaging. It’s all instant for me. However, I realized it might not be best to respond to an email (specifically a client email) right away.

I know some might think the sooner the better, however immediate response can have some negative effects. First, it’s important to know that most people are not like me- they aren’t always connected. They check their email at most hourly. So it’s a safe bet that they won’t be checking their email for your response right when they email you. Unless of course, you set a precedent.

If you do respond right away, people will expect you to all the time. With my clients for example, if I consistently respond immediately, they will expect it. If you make it seem like you’re always available, people think you are, and that can really eat into any free time you try to set aside. I had a client who called me at all hours because I made it seem like I was always available. I had to explain to her that calling me at, for example, 1AM was unacceptable. But I was always there for immediate response. Besides that, it’s always helpful to put some thought into what you’re going to write back.

Immediate response doesn’t allow you to think about what you write- it’s just what first comes to mind. For a quick note to a friend or a thank you email that might be fine, but in a professional relationship it looks bad. At the very least take some time to think about what you want to say and word it correctly. That extra time from when they email you and then hear back will show them you actually put some thought into what you want to say.

As for me, I should heed my own advice. I have been trying the last few weeks and have already seen a difference as far as what’s expected of me goes. Now let’s see if I can maybe check me email less often…

posted on March 20th, 2008 in Business, Thoughts| No Comments »

To continue with this short series I started a couple weeks ago, I want to talk about the next part of my presentation, starting the business.

Why Start a Business?

This was a topic of particular interest. Many people see too much risk in actually putting yourself out there, leaving a steady job, and running your own business. I knew for me I had to start my own business when I wasn’t happy with any of the jobs I had (aside from working my first real job at the deli). My experiences were primarily negative working retail (which is usually the case), but also with jobs in my industry. So I felt if I wanted to be happy I’d have to be my own boss. But that is not the only upside to starting your own business.

The payoff is greater, and not just in terms of money. That might not be the case, especially starting out. However, you will get the opportunity to create work of your own and take the lead on projects. You will also do what you love to do, not just what you are told to do. I for one enjoy programming. At my last couple of jobs however, I was strictly XHTML/CSS. I wanted to do innovative and cool things. Running my own business, I can do that.

It’s your ideas that manifest themselves into real products, not some upper management person or company. It’s also very rewarding to see people use what you create. You won’t get that working for a company.

Have I convinced you yet? Next time I’ll be talking about some tips to running a business.

posted on March 18th, 2008 in Business| No Comments »

Recently I gave a talk on campus about Entrepreneurship in Computing. I talk about my experiences as a freelancer and consultant and give some advice to the undergraduate Comp Sci and Comp Info Systems students, and anyone else who would listen. I’d like to break my presentation down to a few posts here, starting with how I got my start.

How I got my Start

I was a sophomore in high school and my parish approached my about a website. At the time I wasn’t too savvy, but I figured I had Microsoft Frontpage; what more did I need? (I had a lot to learn). In any case, the gig just fell into my lap. I really enjoyed doing it and decided to look more into web development.

Throughout high school, I did small site for other students, mostly bands or skateboard groups (this was about the time CKY/Bam Margera got big, so every skateboarder had a camera) who needed the five basic pages: Home, About, Shows (or Vids), Media, Contact Us. I’d charge them $50-100 for the whole site and be on my merry way. It wasn’t until my freshman year of college that I really became a web developer. In those first few years, however, I learn my most valuable lessons.

Have Confidence

If you don’t believe in your work, why should someone who is paying you?

People Skills

Communications is key. You need to be able to speak the client’s language. Put what you are doing in their terms, because if you don’t, they won’t get what they want and they won’t be happy about it.

Specialize

When I started out, I didn’t only want to do websites. I wanted to do everything- web development, graphic design, computer repairs, network set-up; you name it. However a Jack of All Trades is a master of nothing. So pick something you really enjoy and learn everything you can about it.

Proper Business Workings

I was at least smart enough then to start a spreadsheet with my basic revenue and expenses, though I didn’t realize what could be an expense at the time. I also learned what documents were important to try and protect myself and my business.

Next time I will talk about running the business, why it might be the right choice for you and what to keep in mind.

posted on March 6th, 2008 in Business| No Comments »

Last year was a really great year for me business-wise. I made strides in getting my name out there, the types of projects I picked up, and over all became more confident in my work. I’ve set up some goals for 2008 that I feel will really put me out there professionally and will help me take bigger steps to the ultimate goal of being my own boss.

• Rebranding: Late last year I began rebranding JLC Web Design, giving it a new name, logo, and scope as far as types of projects. I will be revealing all that hopefully soon. Right now I am going through the processes of registering my business as a Sole Proprietorship in the state of NY. After I get the officially registered name, I will be talking in depth about that process and recommendations for going about it.
• Better Finance Management: In 2007, I realized as I got a more constant stream of projects, I needed a better way to keep track of invoices and expenses. This year I will be subscribing to Vebio, which offers online invoicing, statements and reports, and most importantly, expense tracking. This should be a little better than an excel sheet. I will also be talking to an accountant as far as filling for taxes goes, and separating my revenue for the business from my personal finances- something I should have done a long time ago.
• Flagship Projects: I currently have two project in the works- an Open Source one and a commercial one. The commercial one, Into the Open, has launched. I am currently working on advertising and a new logo. I also need to get on the PR side of things to really get the site out there. my goal is to have that up in full swing by March. For the second project- the open source one, I have been working almost none stop on it for the couple of weekends. My plan is to solidify a name and get a beta release out by the end of the month.

Once i have some official documents with my new name, I will be talking about that process, the switch to Vebio, progress on the projects, and some other topics- like having real business cards printed.

posted on January 14th, 2008 in Business| No Comments »