We all at times are guilty of the “gift of gab” or in the case of sending emails, make them way too long with more times than not, keep them from being read, if opened at all. Let’s face it, brevity allows the reader to grasp the content and your message quickly.
5 Tips For Writing A Professional Email
We all like to see numbers – we’ll complete your taxes 30 percent faster; social begins at 5 p.m.; buy 2 get 1 free; get $12 off.
- Tip #1: Consider putting a number in your subject line.
Remember Dale Carnegie’s book, “How to Win Friends and Influence People”, he listed six ways to make people like you. One of those ways was “Remember that a person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language”. (Note: This is an affiliate link, so purchasing the book helps support our mission and community here at Safeguarding Your Business. Thank you for your support!)
- Tip #2: Open with a greeting that uses the person’s name: Good afternoon, Ernie.
Remember the opening lyrics to Aretha Franklin’s hit song, “Think, ‘You better think (think), Think about what you’re trying to do to me’?”
- Tip #3: Well, before you send out important emails, let them marinate a while and then reread them. You’ll see wording in need of improvement.
- Bonus tip: Write the email content first before you add in the recipient, that way for you accidentally hit send, your email doesn’t get sent out before you can reread and possibly re-edit.
Sometimes it’s hard to say goodbye but when you do via email, end in a manner that fits the subject matter.
- Tip #4: For some extra love or TLC, type your name above your automatic signature line.
Of course, handwritten signatures are not feasible in emails but the next best thing to do is:
- Tip #5: End your email with phrases such as Very Best Regards; Thank you very, very much; Hope this information helps; Cheers; Yours respectfully; Thank you for your consideration; etc.
Bonus: Download a free checklist that will help you reduce email-based threats to either your web-based account or local to your computer.