Authored By: Amanda Unterreiner
Email communication is an important mode of communication, and it is especially important in business where it is used so often. Emails can often to be misinterpreted or ineffective if not written well.
Here are a few things you should stop doing in your business emails according to Attorney at Work:
- Vague Subject Lines
Your email subject line should give your recipient a good idea of what your email is about. It should also give the reader an idea of how timely the message is and if there is a deadline.
- Too Long Emails
If you send an email that is too long, you may overwhelm the reader. The more text you send, the higher chance they will just skim the email, or not read the entire thing. If the email has multiple paragraphs, ask yourself if the best way to communicate this message is really an email. If you have multiple points to make or questions to ask, use bullet points to make the information more digestible.
- Poorly Written Out-of-Office Messages
When thinking about your professional email, your out-of-office replies are just as important as any other email that you write. Don’t leave this as a last minute task as you’re walking out the door to your week vacation. The emails should be short and simple: include that you are out of office, when you will return, and who they can contact while you are out. Make sure to respond to all missed emails when you return.
- Passive Aggressive Check-In Emails
Yes, it is necessary to follow up on emails or check in with a certain task or project. Emails that begin with “just checking in” or “I’m following up on” can come off as passive aggressive. Be straightforward but polite. For example, ask for an updated deadline on the project, or offer more context or information to the request.
For more tips on what to avoid in business emails, check out the full article here.
Photo Credit: Antonio Guillem