...needed in email communications that you send from day to day.
Brevity, folks. Short and sweet is the language of the internet. Save the grandiose flourishes for writing holiday thank you cards to your grandma.
The top 10 most annoying business email messes:
1. I would like to thank you for – Well then, thank them. “Thank you for…”
2. The purpose of this email is to let you know that your request was received and will be responded to promptly by one of our…Your request was received and is in process.
3. I just wanted to – Don’t downplay your actions. You are not “just” a salesperson, or “just” an anything who does “just” something – you are, and you are conducting business. Period.
4. I want to first start off by saying – just say it. It’s not the Constitution, there’s no need for a preamble.
5. Thank you for your inquiry!!!!! You chose to look at an AWESOME product!!! Where do I start… Always only one exclamation point or question mark in business communication, if any. If you want to add strength to your statement, use your words, don't artificially inflate them through obnoxious, yelling CAPITALIZATION and childish overuse of punctuation.
6. I m soooooooo :) that u can txt. biz is nt ur bff. No texting shortcuts or (goodness help us all) smiley faces, in business prospect or customer emails. Never. Ever. Ever.
7. There are less products… Fewer is used for plural items, less for a single item:
Fewer customers = less money
Fewer deer = less venison
Fewer quarters = less time on the parking meter
8. I have been working with customer’s for 2 years… Working with customers’ what? Making words plural in English is often as easy as adding an ‘s’ to the end of the word – no need for pesky apostrophes until you’re talking about something belonging to someone, or you are shortcutting a word:
Customers’ opinions
That man’s opinion / his opinions
That customer’s going to express his opinions
9. Cut and paste in emails. If you’re going to cut and paste text from other sources, at least take the time to make sure that the font code translates correctly.
10. Thanks, Erin. Use a complete signature. Overprovide information. If you make it difficult to find you, people will find someone else.
Erin who? What's her title? From what company? What’s the phone number? How about linking the web address so I can visit the site now? Perhaps I’m driving there – what’s the physical address? Can I find, follow or friend you online?
Short and sweet does not translate to sloppy and incorrect. Use proper English, and ‘talk’ to your customers with the same respect as you would face-to-face. Finally, if you wouldn’t want to share each and every one of your emails with your boss's-boss's-boss, don’t send it. Considering the available corporate HR software, they’re probably already aware of your online communication skills. Make them (and you) proud.
Brevity, folks. Short and sweet is the language of the internet. Save the grandiose flourishes for writing holiday thank you cards to your grandma.
The top 10 most annoying business email messes:
1. I would like to thank you for – Well then, thank them. “Thank you for…”
2. The purpose of this email is to let you know that your request was received and will be responded to promptly by one of our…Your request was received and is in process.
3. I just wanted to – Don’t downplay your actions. You are not “just” a salesperson, or “just” an anything who does “just” something – you are, and you are conducting business. Period.
4. I want to first start off by saying – just say it. It’s not the Constitution, there’s no need for a preamble.
5. Thank you for your inquiry!!!!! You chose to look at an AWESOME product!!! Where do I start… Always only one exclamation point or question mark in business communication, if any. If you want to add strength to your statement, use your words, don't artificially inflate them through obnoxious, yelling CAPITALIZATION and childish overuse of punctuation.
6. I m soooooooo :) that u can txt. biz is nt ur bff. No texting shortcuts or (goodness help us all) smiley faces, in business prospect or customer emails. Never. Ever. Ever.
7. There are less products… Fewer is used for plural items, less for a single item:
Fewer customers = less money
Fewer deer = less venison
Fewer quarters = less time on the parking meter
8. I have been working with customer’s for 2 years… Working with customers’ what? Making words plural in English is often as easy as adding an ‘s’ to the end of the word – no need for pesky apostrophes until you’re talking about something belonging to someone, or you are shortcutting a word:
Customers’ opinions
That man’s opinion / his opinions
That customer’s going to express his opinions
9. Cut and paste in emails. If you’re going to cut and paste text from other sources, at least take the time to make sure that the font code translates correctly.
10. Thanks, Erin. Use a complete signature. Overprovide information. If you make it difficult to find you, people will find someone else.
Erin who? What's her title? From what company? What’s the phone number? How about linking the web address so I can visit the site now? Perhaps I’m driving there – what’s the physical address? Can I find, follow or friend you online?
Short and sweet does not translate to sloppy and incorrect. Use proper English, and ‘talk’ to your customers with the same respect as you would face-to-face. Finally, if you wouldn’t want to share each and every one of your emails with your boss's-boss's-boss, don’t send it. Considering the available corporate HR software, they’re probably already aware of your online communication skills. Make them (and you) proud.
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