5 Things You Should Know about Effective E-mail:
Email is the fastest growing segment of the internet. I recently read an estimate that 4 trillion messages are sent every year in the US alone. And we're even better connected! Once you get to the point as I have of getting hundreds of email messages each day you will become ruthless in weeding out (unread) the junk. Following are some of the rules I use when deciding to delete mail (and how to get past my 'junk filters').
- Do I know the sender? Make sure that the 'Sender' field in your email package clearly identifies you by name or Company / position.
- Why would I open the message? You get about 20 characters in the subject display of my inbox. Clearly identify the message subject and never, ever send a message with a blank subject line.
- Is it in plain text? Save your fancy background and newest fonts for letters. What you're saying is important (or you wouldn't be sending the message) not the window dressing.
- Can I tell from the first screen what the sender wants? Either make your email short and concise or, when they must be long, summarize in the first paragraph.
- Is it rife with spelling, syntax or punctuation errors? Use your spell checker and proof read before hitting send. The purpose of the message is to communicate your ideas or information not to convince the recipient that you failed fifth grade.