- Email is about the reader, not the writer. Don’t think about what you have to say. Think about what the reader needs to hear. There’s nothing more tedious than an email that starts out with 200 words of self-justification when all it needs is a single sentence containing a question.
- Email exists to solve problems, not create them. (…)
- The headline is the email. The subject line should be clear, factual and specific. It should also encourage the reader to open and read the email. (…)
- Fewer words, greater understanding. (…) With email, shorter is better. Also short words are best.
- Think before you forward.
- Respect privacy in group emails. [A] round-robin email addressed to hundreds of people where all their addresses were included (…) is a gross breach of privacy.
- Be succinct. Imagine your email was a telegram and that you were paying by the word.
- Highlight actions and key points.
- Re-read your emails before you send them. Out loud. Rewrite it if you can make it shorter. (Bad Language)
Email is about the reader
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