Lengthy messages from friends I read when I have the time. If you want your messages read, consider your recipient. That's what these rules are all about. Limit the message to three paragraphs, tops, each with no more than four sentences. Avoid the fancy formatting, flowery backgrounds, and gaudy colors that new versions of e-mail software allow.
Many people still use e-mail programs that support plain text only.
Also, what's cool on your monitor may look like hell on mine. In Outlook Express, select View and check All Headers. In Outlook, choose View and check Bcc Field. In Netscape 6, click the To field and scroll to Bcc. That's one reason why I don't read them, and you shouldn't be surprised if the messages you forward aren't read either.