First impression matters a lot. Most people here believe sending a private message (pm) to them means you want to beg for something or ask them out.
Lemme start by saying anyone receiving a pm on nairaland will get the message like this:

private-message@nairaland.com wrote:
Hello ABC,

XYZ would like to send you an email message, but since you're not connected, you'll need to contact XYZ by replying this email.
[color=#990000][/color]

Please watch how to reply to pm. I wanted to strike a business deal with someone here and after sending my message. The person replied with 'OKAY' I felt like even if I want to ask for assistance, you shouldn't be rude.
For some people, their own response are:
Yes, I'm listening
Go on
and hosts of other annoying responses.

Personally, I believe the best response should be
Hello! How may I help you or
Hello!
Imagine someone needing assistance concerning an interview or any other urgent information. After viewing the thread and seeing a nairalander with meaningful contribution, he may decide to send a pm to the person for further enlightenment. The person will be very optimistic about hearing from the person. Unfortunately, the interview day may come and go without hearing from the person. After like a month, the nairalander decides to reply the person with, "Yes, I'm listening" How will you feel? The best the nairalander can do is to first apologize and ask if it's not too late to answer his questions.
Nairalanders, this may be a faceless forum but you can meet your destiny helper here.
I love you all

Nice...

Smiles, not everyone have been trained on email etiquette.

some will reply with

.

englois:
First impression matters a lot. Most people here believe sending a private message (pm) to them means you want to beg for something or ask them out.
Lemme start by saying anyone receiving a pm on nairaland will get the message like this:

private-message@nairaland.com wrote:
Hello ABC,

XYZ would like to send you an email message, but since you're not connected, you'll need to contact XYZ by replying this email.
[color=#990000][/color]

Please watch how to reply to pm. I wanted to strike a business deal with someone here and after sending my message. The person replied with 'OKAY' I felt like even if I want to ask for assistance, you shouldn't be rude....

I agree, being polite should be the norm and it costs nothing. It should be two-way though, do not send unsolicited PMs as they're likely to be ignored. Within the subject thread, ask first .... "Please can I send you a PM?". The person will see this in their mentions and will respond positively if they want to discuss further.

Note that some people receive tens if not hundreds of PMs and, yes, most tend to be the begging kind particularly when they have been seen to show compassion on one of the 'assistance' threads here.

Or, for me, I always invite someone to send me a PM to progress something important offline.

jabolo:


I agree, being polite should be the norm and it costs nothing. It should be two-way though, do not send unsolicited PMs as they're likely to be ignored. Within the subject thread, ask first .... "Please can I send you a PM?". The person will see this in their mentions and will respond positively if they want to discuss further.

Note that some people receive tens if not hundreds of PMs and, yes, most tend to be the begging kind particularly when they have been seen to show compassion on one of the 'assistance' threads here.

Or, for me, I always invite someone to send me a PM to progress something important offline.

On point.

"I'm listening". How can you listen to a written mail?

Ishilove:
"I'm listening". How can you listen to a written mail?

Sometimes the PM thing dey vex person especially from certain monikers but it's still good to be polite by responding maturely, don't judge a book by its cover.

The content of the emails will determine whether to continue the discussion or to stop.

dingbang:
Smiles, not everyone have been trained on email etiquette.

Very true, might not be intentional.

The proper thing is to inform the person first on Nl and if given a yes, go ahead to send it.

Atleast tell the person why you are pming them.

Me that have tried to give some benefit of doubt only for them to ask me for friendship.

In a situation where you don't have a basis for discussion what would you reply?

Usually, I say hi. But if I'm replying so late, I will apologize for replying late.

I will first go and check your precedent here on Nairaland before proceeding to acknowledge your mail.

So take note