While we all spend time writing countless emails for professional and personal reasons, many people do not know how to write quality emails. We’ve all received emails, often in a professional capacity, where we aren’t sure what the person is trying to communicate or what they need from us. Sometimes, emails get confusing in the daily hustle and bustle of life, but there’s no excuse for many of the common mistakes we see in emails. If you want to be viewed as a competent professional, it’s important that you craft good written communication, no matter who you’re emailing or what you’re discussing. Here are some tips for crafting fantastic emails that can enhance your professional image.
Consider if an email is necessary
Before sending your email, think about whether or not you actually need to send the email. Could the issue be better handled through a phone call? Could you wait until the next time you see the person? Too often, information gets lost through email and tone is misunderstood. If it would be easier to ask your question or provide an answer to something, simply get on the phone with the person. You’ll save yourself time and can avoid possible issues.
Meaningful subject line
As you start your email, make the subject line relevant to the email you’re sending and keep it clear and concise. People too often send emails without a subject line, which makes the receiver less likely to open them since they do not know what they’re about. Create a short, clear subject line such as “meeting this Friday” or “quick question about x project.” Emails with a meaningful subject line make communication much easier and are clear on the topic being discussed.
Think about what you’re saying
When you write your email, put thought into what you’re saying. Make sure your tone is what you want it to be and that you’re not writing excessively. Consider different ways your message could be interpreted and edit it to make it as clear as possible to avoid confusion.
Make the words matter
Every word in an email is important. Avoid writing extra sentences that do not actually pertain to what you’re trying to say. While you do not want to be too short and you should be polite, it’s also important to make it as concise as possible so your question or response is clear and doesn’t get lost in fluff.
Proofread before sending
Finally, once you’re done with your email, proofread it. The last mistake you want to make is sending an email filled with grammar and spelling errors or that’s missing an important part of the message you wanted to convey. Make sure you’re spelling your recipient’s name correctly and that you’re actually sending the email to the correct person!
