Next week, we’ll return to branding tips and tricks, but this week? A public service announcement.

Starting an introductory e-mail without providing a bit of background information about who you are and what you need is like skipping shaking hands to go right for the party in that hot dude’s pants.

Introductions can be simple yet effective:

Hey there, I’m ____ and I love your ______. I’ve seen you on Twitter/Facebook/blog/forum/website/around town/at the bar drinking because of your lack of etiquette-ified e-mails.

Boom!  Now I have some idea of who you are, and may even be able to connect your name with your face and how we know one another, if we do.  If not, it helps to know that all my time spent languishing at the bar about this matter is not wasted.

Also — and this is sneaky — include a compliment.

If you’re asking for advice from a professional, whether it’s a roofer, an SEO-ninja, a marketing guru, or a barista, pay a compliment before asking your question.

‘I adore the way you make pumpkin lattes!  What’s your secret?’ will always be better received than ‘Tell me how to make a pumpkin latte.’

Finally, capitalization, punctuation, and a lack of ‘OMG!!!!’s are always appreciated and appropriate for business-related e-mail.