communicating by email
TRANSCRIPT
LDCCommunication by Email
The more people you send an email to, the less likely any single person will respond to it, much less perform any action that you requested.
2. Keep messages brief and to the pointThe longer it is, the less likely that the person will act on what you have sent or respond to it.
3. Don’t discuss multiple subjects in a single messageChose your subject heading carefully making it as informative as possible. This makes it easy when searching subject lines to find a particular email
4. Reply in a timely mannerRead it – If it takes less than 2 minutes to reply = reply immediately
5. Be mindful of your tone
6. Don’t use e-mail to criticize others
7. Before forwarding, STOP and think!
8. Don’t reply in angerIf it makes you feel better, go ahead and write the message, then delete it.
9. Don’t overuse “reply to all.”Your default response should be to reply only to the sender. Before you reply to everyone, make sure that everyone needs to know.
10. Don’t forward chain lettersIf in doubt, check it out at www.snopes.com
11. Don’t “copy up” as a means of coercionIf someone is not responding to your e-mails, try a different communications strategy – pick up the phone
12. Don’t overuse the “high priority” flag or the subject line: “URGENT!!!” If you use it for every message, you will simply be ignored.
13. Don’t write in ALL CAPS
14. Use a signature with your contact information
15. Do include the original messages when replying
16. Provide “if-then” options
17. Use your spell-checker
18. Re-read your e-mail before you send it1) Read it out loud 2) Ask a heart-language reader to check it first
19. Don't assume that email is always the best way to respondSometimes a personal visit is the only option
20. Don’t waste hours composing “perfect” emailsPractice the “Rule of 3”
1. email
2. response
3. response to response
4. phone, skype, feet!
“Though I have much to write to you, I would rather
not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face,
so that our joy may be complete.” 2 John v. 12