The dominant business format.
WHAT AN EFFECTIVE EMAIL HAS
A subject line describing the content The purpose in the first line What you need, stated plainly Any deadline Short paragraphs
WHAT A GOOD SUBJECT LINE DOES
Tells the reader what it concerns and whether it needs action.
WHAT EXAMPLES LOOK LIKE
Approval needed: supplier contract by Friday
Update: migration completed
WHAT POOR ONES LOOK LIKE
Quick question Following up No subject at all
WHY THEY FAIL
They are unsearchable and unprioritised.
HOW LONG AN EMAIL SHOULD BE
As short as the content permits.
WHAT TO DO IF IT EXCEEDS A SCREEN
Add a summary at the top, or move it to a document.
WHAT TO PUT IN THE FIRST LINE
Why you are writing.
WHAT TO AVOID
Long pleasantries before the point Several unrelated topics in one message Requests buried in the middle Attachments with no explanation
WHY SEVERAL TOPICS FAIL
Only one gets answered.
WHAT TO DO INSTEAD
One topic per email.
WHAT TO MAKE OBVIOUS
Who must act, and by when.
HOW
Name them, and state the date.
WHAT TO RE-READ BEFORE SENDING
Whether the request is unmistakable.
