When Brittany Herzberg invited me to be a guest on The Basic B Podcast, I knew we were going to have an incredible conversation. Digital communication is a two-way street, yet so many of us assume that because we hit send, the message was received as we intended.
And let’s be real—miscommunication is one of the fastest ways to damage relationships, both personally and professionally. That’s why I pulled out my magic wand 🪄 and tackled this topic head-on, making etiquette feel real and relevant.
Here’s one of the biggest gems from our chat:
Message Sent ≠ Message Received
Think about this: you send an email, expecting a response. A few days go by, and…nothing. Do you assume:
A) They’re ignoring you?
B) They didn’t receive it?
C) They saw it but don’t know how to respond?
D) Something else entirely?
Most people default to A: They’re ignoring me, and that’s where problems start. But here’s the truth:
👉 Sometimes emails never reach the recipient (yes, spam filters are still a thing).
👉 Sometimes people are at capacity and haven’t processed it yet.
👉 Sometimes your message wasn’t clear enough for them to know what action to take.
The Fix? Acknowledge & Clarify
I always encourage people to acknowledge receipt of an email—even if you don’t have an answer yet. A simple “Got it! I’ll review and get back to you by [date]” eliminates frustration on both sides.
And for senders? Assume grace before frustration—people communicate differently, and it’s worth checking in with curiosity before assuming the worst.
More Digital Communication Etiquette Gems from the Podcast
In the episode, we also covered:
✅ Why clarity is king in digital spaces.
✅ Best practices for email autoresponders & handling spam.
✅ How to receive messages with more grace & curiosity.
✅ The best way to respond to negative reviews without damaging your reputation.
✅ A strategy to make being proactive part of your brand identity.
Want the full conversation? 🎧 Listen to the episode here!
Final Thought: Your Reputation is Built on Communication
Your reputation and relationships should do the heavy lifting for you—opening doors you don’t even have to knock on. But that only happens when you’re intentional about how you communicate.
Your digital presence, relationships, and reputation should be assets—not obstacles. Let’s build your customized R & R Playbook so you can confidently show up as your best self.