As all you know, I really enjoy getting emails from my readers. I love to read about your successes. I love to read about your situations.

It’s amazing, though, how many people will email me and this will be the sum total of their message: “I saw a woman on the street I want to meet and I don’t know what to do. I always think I’ll be able to talk to her, but I’m so afraid approaching women. I feel like a total loser. I don’t really know what to do. Help me, you’re my last chance.”

That’s it. No salutation at the beginning of the email — No “Dear David” or “Hey David” or even “Hi.” They’ll just go right into what they want from me right off the bat.

Also, there will be no name or salutation at the end of the email. It’s amazing how many people out there have no social grace whatsoever. None, zero.

I mean, you’re asking me a question, but you can’t even say hello at the beginning of the message or thank you – let alone identify yourself by name? It actually doesn’t surprise me, because there are so many people out there who who don’t understand the importance — and don’t have the confidence — to say their own name.

I recently did a seminar, at which I stood outside the room and greeted everyone as they came in the room. I did this because I wanted to see how many people would actually stop and introduce themselves to me. While many said “Hi” or “Hey David,” virtually no one introduced themselves by name.

Your name is important. You need to be confident and proud of who you are. Don’t give your power away to anybody else.

Don’t ever send an email to someone without addressing the other person by their first name, and without signing your name at the end. Based on the number of people I see who don’t do either of these things, it almost seems like an epidemic.

For a while, I did a Q&A day on the blog in which I would answer questions from readers in the blog. Do you know that almost no one who sent me questions (or whose question I answered) ever said thank you? I was taking time out to help people, and there was almost no appreciation from anyone. It kind of blows me away.

Becoming good socially can start with things as simple as your email and voicemail messages. On your voicemail message, use your name. Say something like, “Hey, this is David. Thanks for calling . . .”

It is important for all of you to realize that first impressions are everything. If you don’t introduce yourself properly or don’t write an email properly, then that is the first impression you are giving to others about you, your confidence and your social grace.