Online virtual communities provide us with the means to build connections with others who share our interests globally. We must become effective communicators in order to collaborate, work proficiently and to help develop and maintain trust among participants in online environments. Preece (2004) states that, “norms that lead to good online etiquette, empathy and trust between community members provide stepping-stones for social capital development” (p.294). In this paper, I will identify some of the communication challenges that exist in online environments. Then I will identify some general netiquette rules which we may apply to all of our online interactions as well as highlight some more specific netiquette rules for communicating using email, instant messaging, text messaging and micro blogging. Finally I will identify technology advancements that may help us to overcome online communication challenges and may lead to redefining the rules of engagement we currently follow online.