Writing better business e-mails.......

Mindtools

quote:

---

Writing better business e-mails

---

This is something I have shared and continue to share with my team. Rinse and repeat every so often.

I'm in the senior retirement industry, but you can substitute for the verbage of your industry.


4 Tips to Get Busy People to Read Your E-Mail


1. Subject Lines Matter. A Lot.

• Your subject line should be clear and concrete. It should also be personal and if possible, offer value. Think it terms of the being the reader. “If I'm reading your emails, it's because I'll trade my time for the value I receive from reading your e-mail.” Remember WIIFT.
• Subject lines should be 75 characters or less. This should ensure the whole message shows up in the subject line. Anything longer, a person and/or e-mail system might think it is SPAM.
• Although very catchy, a bad subject line example is “Read this or DIE” is probably not the most appropriate.
• Good examples. “What did you think of your visit today with us?” “Confirming our appointment tomorrow at 11:30 a.m.” “Improving your mom’s life.”


2. Remind recipient (i.e. influencer) of context of conversation / meeting.

• Briefly recap your conversation by phone in an e-mail. Short and concise.


3. Limit Your Entire E-mail to Six Sentences or Fewer.

• I know it’s going to be painful. You have so many important things to say. However, getting your e-mail READ is MORE IMPORTANT than getting all that explanation in there!
• Your goal is to make it easy for recipient (i.e. influencer) to respond immediately from their smart phone.


4. Make Your Ask Explicit.

• If you want to set an appointment, ask for the appointment.
• Provide two options for time/date and ask for a specified length. What might work best for you?
• Don't be sly. Don't hint. Make the process ridiculously easy by just asking for what you want.
• Always ask open-ended questions by e-mail. These will generate a response. Here are some examples that you can pick and choose:

o “What happened after you and your mother/father left the community?”
o “What did you the two of you discuss?”
o “What concerns did he/she express to you privately?” “Are there any new concerns that you would like to discuss now?”
o “What do you feel is going to be the deciding factor as to the community you or your loved one will choose?”
o “What can I do to help you or your loved one to consider making a move to our community and truly experience all the benefits we have to offer?”

quote:

---

I'd like to sharpen my business e-mail skills, anyone have suggestions on a resource?

---

what is the context? sales, inter-office, project team, subordinates?