You’ve probably heard the saying “Communication Is Key” and guess what…it is! Good communication is key to any great relationship as well as leadership and business success. In this two-part series, we will cover how to effectively communicate via email and phone.
4 Quick Tips on How to Write a Better Email
1 – Be Concise
Avoid several paragraphs and too many sentences. Many people, especially those in leadership roles, don’t have time to read a long email. They need you to get to the point to know what you are asking, requesting or confirming and be done.
2 – Be Clear
When providing information in e-mail, be sure to include answers to questions that may be important: who, what, when and where. Be straight forward with your request or question. This helps avoid constant (and annoying!) back and forth communication. The less emails, the better…right?
3 – Check Your Content
Write your e-mail and then do a quick read through before hitting the send button. Don’t rely solely on auto-correct or spell check. A quick review will help you catch mistakes such as misspelled names or transposed numbers that spell check will miss.
4 – Simplify Email Signatures
Don’t overdo it on your email signature; keep it to four to seven lines, at the very max. Include your name, title, company name, website link, phone numbers and maybe one or two of your social media handles. If your business relies on the use of disclosures, try separating that from the signature by displaying it in smaller text below the signature or including a link to the online version of the full disclosure. Too much in an email signature is hard on the eyes and makes it difficult to focus on the email content.
Better Emails Increase Productivity
When we think of about how to write a better email, the goal is to get your messages read, understood, and addressed quickly. By getting straight to the point, including clear and necessary content, double checking your work, and keeping signatures simple, you increase the effectiveness of your messages and improve productivity. Don’t forget to also be professional! Check out these email etiquette tips for some guidance on that and happy e-mail writing!
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