Chances are, you're reading this article because you want to ignore the hundred or so emails you have in your work inbox. If that's the case, welcome.
Believe it or not, there are people dedicated to perfecting the craft of sending a work email. There are things you need to do, and MUST avoid, with the overall arc being: The goal of a professional e-mail is to share information, not conversation.
Kyle Elliott, a career and interview coach based in Santa Barbara, California, gave an insight to the NY Post on what it takes to craft the perfect work email. Here are his tips:
Keep it short
"Bullet points and bolded text can go a long way for readability."
The right introduction
"Never make it about you. Always make it about how you can help. Assume they have hundreds of other people in their inbox just like you. Ask yourself, 'What do I do that is actually different, and how can I get that across in one or two sentences?'"
Hit the right tone
"Be conservative in your approach."
Write a stellar subject line
"Use the subject line to focus your thinking and clarify the purpose of the message."
Keep the emotion out
"E-mails are public — stay clear of work feelings. Be sure to not mention personal work experiences or feelings. It always gets misinterpreted when written. E-mails are permanent. Things get shared, saved and filed. Think what it feels like when you get a terse e-mail, or one wrought with emotion or negativity."
Don't rush
"It's common to rush through this form of communication to get on to your projects or other work tasks. Remember, your communications are part of your career brand and reputation. Don't be in too much of a hurry to press 'send.' Take extra precautions to protect or encrypt that data."
Get the response you want
"The more specific you are in your request, the better."
Brighten someone's day
"At its core, e-mail is essentially a relationship-building tool. Taking a moment from your busy day to send a note to a colleague or client is a thoughtful way to express appreciation."
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