| Tone is important in any form of
| |
| | scroll down. So, put your most important
|
| communication. Are you using the
| |
| | information first. Don't bury it in the
|
| appropriate tone when communicating with
| |
| | fourth sentence of the third paragraph.
|
| email?Email messages are different from
| |
| | Consider using the journalism technique
|
| typed letters. You can't be "too" formal
| |
| | of the "five W's": Who, What, Where,
|
| in a letter. In an email, too formal
| |
| | When and Why. Start with the vitals,
|
| looks silly. What's the appropriate tone
| |
| | then elaborate later.The best email
|
| for an email? -- slightly more casual
| |
| | sentences and paragraphs are brief.
|
| than a letter. Yet, there is a fine line
| |
| | These are quick for the receiver to read
|
| between being too casual and too
| |
| | and easy on the eyes. Double space
|
| formal.The attitude and culture of your
| |
| | between paragraphs and don't indent.How
|
| company will dictate the amount of
| |
| | do you write "briefly"? One technique is
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| formality necessary. Meeting planners
| |
| | to omit wordy phrases.- Instead of "as a
|
| and hotels won't be as formal as a bank
| |
| | general rule" use "generally"
|
| or law firm.As you compose the message,
| |
| | - Instead of "on two different
|
| consider the person who will be reading
| |
| | occasions" use "twice"
|
| it. Know your audience. It's easier if
| |
| | - Instead of "at this point in time"
|
| you are replying to a message. Then you
| |
| | use "now"
|
| simply match the tone to that of the
| |
| | - Instead of "more than one" use
|
| sender.When in doubt, strive for a tone
| |
| | "multiple"Since people are notorious for
|
| that is professional, yet conversational.
| |
| | skimming email messages, create lists.
|
| Try using contractions (I'll, we'll,
| |
| | These can be read at a glance, and
|
| he's, she's). In conversation, we use
| |
| | readers aren't as likely to miss
|
| the words "I, we, you." So, use these in
| |
| | something important. Use numbers or
|
| emails.Be careful with "I," though.
| |
| | bullets to highlight each point. You
|
| Using too many can be perceived as
| |
| | have three options: complete sentences,
|
| egocentric. You don't want to appear as
| |
| | or fragments/phrases, or single words.
|
| a pompous meeting planner. If you notice
| |
| | Just be consistent. Don't make point
|
| an abundance of "I's," try rewriting
| |
| | number one a sentence and point number
|
| every other sentence. This will create
| |
| | two a single word. Whatever method you
|
| variety, and that pesky personal pronoun
| |
| | select, capitalize the first word.You may
|
| won't be as obvious.In addition to being
| |
| | double space between the listed items or
|
| conversational, an email should be
| |
| | not. Double spacing makes the list
|
| concise. The average office worker sends
| |
| | easier to read, but it also takes up more
|
| and receives 36 email messages every day.
| |
| | of that oh-so-precious screen space.By
|
| Some people receive literally hundreds
| |
| | Kelly J. Watkins, MBA, Louisville, KY.
|
| daily. There's no room for fluff. By
| |
| | Visit: to order, Email Etiquette Made
|
| keeping your message short, there's a
| |
| | Easy (a comprehensive guide filled with
|
| better chance it'll be read.In email
| |
| | exercises & examples) or for tips on
|
| messages, "short" equals one screen (not
| |
| | communication & customer service!
|
| one page). Busy readers don't bother to
| |
| |
|
