Tips for Better E-Mail, Part 18: Break That Chain!

Do not forward junk mail such as chain messages, advertisements, and other group solicitations. Doing so harms your credibility and wastes your readers’ time. Discard anything that does not promote business purposes.


To purchase your copy of The Art of On-the-Job Writing by Philip Vassallo, click here: https://www.firstbooks.com/product_info.php?cPath=14&products_id=144

Coming Soon! The Art of E-Mail Writing by Philip Vassallo, also through First Books: http://www.firstbooks.com/

Tips for Better E-Mail, Part 17: Keep It Organized

Refrain from long, single-paragraph e-mails. This undisciplined approach to writing engenders confusion and annoyance. More importantly, your readers will miss your point if it is buried in a mess of words and sentences.

Solution:

1. Get to the point in the first paragraph—even the first few words.
2. Limit one idea per paragraph.
3. Hit the most important point in the first sentence of each paragraph.
4. Close with useful next steps—the transition from the document.

To purchase your copy of The Art of On-the-Job Writing by Philip Vassallo, click here: https://www.firstbooks.com/product_info.php?cPath=14&products_id=144

Coming Soon! The Art of E-Mail Writing by Philip Vassallo, also through First Books: http://www.firstbooks.com/.

Tips for Better E-Mail, Part 16: Keep It Strictly Business

Personal e-mails during business hours provide evidence of not doing your job. The fact is, your company owns everything in its computers. Act wisely about e-mailing family and friends.


To purchase your copy of The Art of On-the-Job Writing by Philip Vassallo, click here: https://www.firstbooks.com/product_info.php?cPath=14&products_id=144

Coming Soon! The Art of E-Mail Writing by Philip Vassallo, also through First Books: http://www.firstbooks.com/.

Tips for Better E-Mail, Part 15: Be Nice!

Do not demean, harass, or threaten readers or subjects of your message. Readers of business communication assume that the sender took the time to write thoughtfully. Use e-mail as a tool for clear communication—not a weapon for demoralizing.


To purchase your copy of The Art of On-the-Job Writing by Philip Vassallo, click here: https://www.firstbooks.com/product_info.php?cPath=14&products_id=144

Coming Soon! The Art of E-Mail Writing by Philip Vassallo, also through First Books: http://www.firstbooks.com/.

Tips for Better E-Mail, Part 14: Forward Helpfully

Help your reader understand forwarded e-mail. A reference to the part of a forwarded message to relate it to your purpose and your readers’ needs will quicken the communication process. Mention why you have forwarded the message.


To purchase your copy of The Art of On-the-Job Writing by Philip Vassallo, click here: https://www.firstbooks.com/product_info.php?cPath=14&products_id=144

Coming Soon! The Art of E-Mail Writing by Philip Vassallo, also through First Books: http://www.firstbooks.com/.