2. So you thought it
was as easy as falling
off a log and you
would naturally have
it down pat?
Image courtesy: obiwanjr on flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/obiwanjr/3704243811/)
3. You
could be
mistaken.
Image courtesy: obiwanjr on flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/obiwanjr/3704243811/)
4. Frequency
does not
necessarily
beget
proficiency.
Image courtesy: kickinkitchen.tv (http://kickinkitchen.tv/nutrition-bites/portion-balance/tip/4)
5. Even those hired as professional
PR Reps are pretty clueless about
how to compose a good email.
Image courtesy: Katherine Rose (http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/sep/15/crib-sheet-email)
6. No matter
how basic a
life skill, its
something
you still have
to learn.
Image courtesy: picdash (http://picdash.com/325/)
7. No matter
how basic a
life skill, its
something
you still have
to learn.
Knowing how to write a good
email – One that will actually
get a response – is crucial to
your success.
Image courtesy: picdash (http://picdash.com/325/)
8. You see, each
email is
essentially a
pitch. Period.
Even if you’re not literally selling a business
idea, what you’re pitching is the idea that
you’re worth responding to.
Image courtesy: Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/public-leaders-network/blog/2011/nov/17/service-reform-quality-over-money)
9. The person to whom you’re writing may get
dozens, even hundreds of emails every single
day, and they can’t possibly give every single
email the same time and attention.
Image courtesy: rmuti (http://www.rmuti.ac.th/net/howto/email/spam/purge/index.htm)
10. So just like with face-to-face
pitches, these people develop
ways of slotting their emails
into two tracks.
11. So just like with face-to-face
pitches, these people develop
ways of slotting their emails
into two tracks.
Those that get a response
Chair icon courtesy: iconspedia (http://www.iconspedia.com/icon/red-chair-12157.html)
12. So just like with face-to-face
pitches, these people develop
ways of slotting their emails
into two tracks.
Those that get a response
Those that get kicked to
the trash folder
Trash icon courtesy: iconfinder (http://www.iconfinder.com/icondetails/34314/128/full_recycle_bin_trash_icon)
13. So, how do you raise one of the
recipient’s chequered flags?
Trash icon courtesy: iconfinder (http://www.iconfinder.com/icondetails/45360/128/checkered_flag_goal_icon)
14. What is the key to getting a response to your email?
Put yourself in the recipient’s shoes and tailor your email accordingly.
How do you do that?
We have outlined some of the things we look for in determining whether
or not an email is worthy of a response.
How do you know they work?
Now, the language may seem a little harsh. But this is not one man’s
personal’s pet peeves—these are the same things that business owners,
agents, and newspaper editors have told us they use in evaluating their
emails.
Note: These guidelines are only for emails that you write when you’re hoping for something from the
recipient, even if it’s just a response. If you’re just dashing off a quick note to pass along some information or
share your appreciation, or are corresponding with someone you’re very familiar with, the rules really don’t
matter very much.
15. 1. Respect the recipient’s time and make sure the email is even necessary.
2. Begin with a salutation.
3. Type your email address correctly in the contact form.
4. Address the email to a specific person(s).
5. Spell the recipient’s name right.
6. Build a bit of rapport before getting down to business.
7. Keep it short and to the point.
8. Make your request crystal clear.
16. 9. Don’t be a tease.
10. If you have a website, link to it.
11. DON’T USE ALL CAPS.
12. or all lower cases.
13. Proofread and spell check.
14. Close with a valediction – Sincerely ‘or’ Best
15. Return the favor.
16. Last but not the least, Follow-up once. But just once. If you still don’t get
a response, they’re not interested.
17. Concept and Design
Ezy (ejazali.md@gmail.com)
To understand the guidelines better, go through the post on
artofmanliness blog.
http://artofmanliness.com/2012/03/01/how-to-write-an-email-that-
will-actually-get-a-response/
