Emails

Nobody wants to read your emails...they are too long.  

How many times have you sent important information, but nobody follows through or remembers it? How many times have you sent an email request that doesn't get a response?  

It's because it's too long.  

People open it, they see the novel sitting in front of them, maybe they scan for some key phrases, but your email was dead on arrival.  

Want people to read it? These three things will help: 

1. Be concise 

2. Be clear 

3. Be kind

A study done by Boomerang, looked at 40 million emails and found the emails with 50 to 150 words got the most responses. Next time you write an email, go back over it and find ways to make it shorter.  

How can you be more clear? Say what you mean.  If you want your team to start using a new program, don't say "we'd like for you to try this new program in the next few weeks."  Instead say "start using this by Friday the 17th. We look forward to hearing your feedback." 

Which leads us into kindness....people often think that if we say less it can sound cold. It can...which is why we choose our words very wisely.  

One or two words can make all the difference in the world.  Instead of "we look forward to checking on how you're doing," we say "we look forward to hearing your feedback."  

The right choice of words can take you from skeptical boss, to motivating leader.  Keep those emails concise, clear and kind and you'll get the response you're looking for.