Universal Events, Inc. Helps Email Etiquette With These Five Tips

When email took over business communication, basic communication rules became lost. People started typing in all caps and hitting reply-all when inappropriate. As email communications continue to evolve, etiquette has evolved making it a much more effective tool than it once was. The team at Universal Events, Inc. offers you five tips to help you write better email for greater success.   1. Avoid the Gentle Reminder   Do not indicate that you are sending a gentle reminder in your subject line. It conveys to your recipients that you are lacking confidence and walking on eggshells. Write the content without feeling the need to soften it up.   2. Know When a Short Answer is Appropriate   You need to give deserving attention to each email. Responding with “OK” after being told the copier broke down is adequate. Doing the same after your supervisor sends a long email about a problem with your work sounds flippant—like you are failing to take the issue seriously. Inappropriately short answers can be tempting when answering email from your phone so if an email requires a longer answer, so wait until you are at a computer.   3. Get to the Point   Include only the necessary details. If you ramble or include extra information when the sender requested only a quick update, you risk annoying that person. Keep it as short as possible but include all needed information.   If you need to write something more involved, use bullets or numbered lists. That format provides an easy-to–read structure.   4. You do Not Need to Defer   If you receive a straightforward email addressing both you and your supervisor, and you can answer it, there is no reason to defer to authority. Supervisors often prefer saving time by delegating easier items to less-senior workers. Also, if you continue to stay quiet even when you can handle matters, your supervisor will become concerned.   5. Respond When You Know the Answer   If you receive an inquiry and need time to investigate, let the sender know. Do not just leave them hanging while you seek the information. Explain that you need to review records and let them know when you can be in contact again.   Email etiquette is about good manners, but also promotes efficiency. By knowing where to streamline and where to elaborate, you will improve your email communication and come off better to others. Consider these tips today to increase the quality of your email.