7 Tips for Sending Better Emails

Assuming there is no global panacea for managing irksome email it looks like it’s up to each of us to do our part. Here are a few helpful tips I uncovered in my research.

When you and a colleague are exchanging a series of emails, update the subject line to reflect what’s being discussed. Accurate subject lines make it easier to locate information later.

2. Write the entire message in the subject line.
If what you have to say can be summed up in a few words, put it in the subject line. For example, instead of writing an email message to verify the time and location of a meeting, use the subject line. “See you at 1:30 today. Conference room B. (EOM)” Use the acronym EOM to signify “end of message.”

If you are using an email to float an idea by your boss, instead of concluding with an open-ended question like “Thoughts?,” you could say, “When you have a moment please let me know whether you are A) strongly in favor B) mildly in favor C) against D) no opinion. Thanks!”

Before hitting the “reply all” icon, consider whether it’s really necessary for everybody listed in the “To:” to get a copy of your response.

At the bottom of your emails, keep things tidy by eliminating the string of emails you and the recipient have exchanged over the last few weeks or months. Limit a thread to 2 or 3 of the most recent emails.

6. Keep it short.
Don’t make the reader sort through a long-winded missive to determine the gist of what you have to say. Be considerate of the recipient’s time. Get to the point.

Besides using “EOM” to indicate that what you’ve written in the subject line is all you have to say, consider using these acronyms at the beginning or end of the subject line:  AR – Action required. NNTR – No need to respond. FYI – For your information.