43 Folders | Writing Sensible Email Messages

The number of people who don't understand basic email netiquette is truly appalling. But that's not what I'm here to rant about today.

I'm here to rave about Writing Sensible Email Messages from 43 Folders. The care with which you write your emails will save hassled recipients time and temper *and* will get you better responses.

In addition to writing a great Subject line, here's what else you need to do to write good email:

. . . don't bury the lede. Get the details and context packed into that first sentence or two whenever you can. Don't be afraid to write an actual “topic sentence” that clarifies a) what this is about, and b) what response or action you require of the recipient.

Since the Larry Tate meeting on Monday has been moved from the Whale Room, could you please make sure the Fishbowl has been reserved and that the caterer has been notified of the location change? Please IM me today by 5pm Pacific Time to verify.

This isn't the place to practice your stand-up act. Keep it pithy, and assume that no one will ever read more than the first sentence of anything you write. Making that first sentence strong and clear is easily the best way to interest your recipient in the second sentence and beyond.

Zen slap: An email auto-check set for every minute means 60 potential distractions every hour, or almost 500 per day. Look back at a week of your emails and ask yourself: how many distractions was that really worth? How much crucial, instantly actionable email did I receive to make it worth shifting my attention over 2000 times? --43 Folders, Quick Tips on Processing Your Email Inbox