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  • About
  • Essays
    • America’s Future Foundation
    • American Institute for Economic Research
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    • Entrepreneur
    • Evie Magazine
    • Foundation for Economic Education
    • James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal
  • Blog
    • Arts and Culture
    • Book Reviews
    • Fashion
    • Finance
    • Marketing
    • Professional Development
    • Technology
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Chloe Anagnos

Cultivating a career beyond borders

7 Steps to Sending Successful Emails

May 20, 2019 · In: Professional Development, Technology

In many cases, writing professional emails can be daunting. Moreover, many can struggle to properly address professionals when sending emails. Here are seven effective steps to consider to ensure that your email content is appropriate and applicable to the setting.

Always include a greeting

Regardless of the length of your email, a greeting is always a formality, as the alternative fails to address the recipient. Just like many become frustrated in a setting where colleagues simply yell, “Hey you!” across the room, failure to include an email greeting disregards the presence of the recipient. Always include a name in your greeting if able, and title when applicable.

Use a short but prompt subject

Subject lines serve as clarifiers not only to convey the message but also the importance of the content. Furthermore, subject lines serve as a gauge to the recipient as to whether they want to read what you’ve sent.

Keep your subject lines brief, but ensure the subject line clearly articulates what you intend to discuss in your email so the recipient is prepared.

Failure to do so is reminiscent of the text message you receive that says, “We need to talk,” without any reason why. 

Thank the recipient

Manners are important, and emails are no exception. Thank the recipient for reading or considering your message, regardless of necessity. This is a polite way to nod to the time the recipient takes not only to read your message but also to respond swiftly and appropriately if the subject warrants it.

Introduce yourself when necessary

Just as if you were meeting someone for the first time in person, introduce yourself over email when the situation demands. If the recipient is unfamiliar with you, be sure to include your title or the way you obtained the connection to bridge the gap.

Get to the point

Though long emails may seem thorough, most people will simply not remember the entire contents of a long email or will skim through and sometimes miss major points.

Instead of spending time composing a draft that may or may not be read in its entirety, make your emails concise. Even using bullet points or editing to remove filler can help.

On another note, getting to the point will also simplify your message. The more words we use to communicate something, the more tainted the meaning becomes.

Communicate your message efficiently by saying exactly what you mean.

Close your email well

Resolve your conversation by thanking the recipient for their time and attention to the matter at hand. If the email was of length, use your closing to summarize major points presented, or confirm a time to follow up.

Don’t forget a signature

Your signature serves as a final handshake between you and the recipient. Ensure your signature clearly demonstrates your role, expertise, and calls your recipient to act.

Even if the action is unrelated, your signature reminds anyone you contact of your role and value. 

13 Professional Habits You Should Implement

April 15, 2019 · In: Professional Development

Considering professionalism is an expectation that goes without saying in any career, it’s important to cultivate habits and disciplines that will set you up for success in the workplace.

Here are 13 professional habits you should be implementing now if you’re not already.

Show up 15 minutes early

Though the saying “better late than never” does have some truth to it, it’s better to never be late.

Ever heard the saying that if you are on time, you’re late, and if you’re early, you are on time? Striving to early allows for additional time for the roadblocks that many people see as excuses for a lack of punctuality. Plan to show up 15 minutes early to everything you do, and you likely won’t have to fear to be late again.

Be the first one in the office and the last one out

Though you don’t have to maintain this precedent for your entire career, being the first one in the office and last one out – at least while you are new to any position or company – will help you gauge the pace of your team. Additionally, it will help you remain disciplined to put in more hard work and show your peers your dedication.

Communicate directly

Sarcasm can be funny in high school, but communication is critical to your growth and success. In a fast-paced or growing company, it’s likely that your boss isn’t going to be assessing your every need or handing out raises left and right.

You are your own advocate, so speak up, and be forthcoming about what you want and need to be successful in the workplace.

Learn when to be “off”

Though the mindset of work-life balance is being shifted to a work-life harmony, being “off” is still important to your rest and recovery.

In a fast-paced culture where we can access our email at any hour of the day, boundaries are important. However, sometimes not checking your messages can give you more stress than if you quickly glimpsed at them.

Know your limits, be present, set boundaries, and make sure you carve out time to be both on and off the clock in a manner consistent with your lifestyle.

Respond within 12 hours

Respond within 12 hours to any communication. Some people will say 24 hours is common courtesy, but in my experience, 12 is best.

If you only check your inbox once a day, make sure you’re communicating with the people who are contacting you even if it’s to say that you’ve received their inquiry and that you’ll have a response within a certain timeframe.

Allow for extra time

Be careful not to over or underestimate your time, or how long it may take you to accomplish certain projects. Always budget more time than less, but if you struggle with this, try using a project management solution, or even a stopwatch and note on your phone to see how long it takes you to complete tasks.

Own your mistakes

Rather than casting blame, take personal responsibility for anything you may not have done fully and correctly. Apologize sincerely, learn how to improve, and adjust for the future.

Dress the part

Dress for the job you want, not the job you have. Your clothing communicates the message you want to send, the respect you have for yourself, and sets the tone for your first impression. If you need more help on this topic, check out this article.

Stay off your cell phone

Though cell phones are an effective way to communicate, being on your phone at the wrong moment can send a negative impression. Even if only to take notes, staying on your phone during a meeting appears unprofessional. Try another communication channel like Slack instead.

Plan your day

Planning out your day or even your week will help you prioritize the objectives and projects you need to accomplish. This mindset takes a proactive approach to your work instead of reacting to issues as they arise. Planning out your day will take away the constant need to put out fires and allow you to better focus.

Learn to do things yourself

We’ve all witnessed that one person who just can’t seem to figure things out without any assistance. From storing files to staying on track, we’ve all been around someone who just appears clueless.

Instead of being reliant and asking for help on every project, take initiative to develop new skills or watch tutorials on your own time instead of constantly and consistently relying on others.

Find a mentor

Mentorship can be instrumental to the growth in your career. Find a mentor who’s willing to watch you thrive, and make this part of your continuing professional development.

Know your value

Know the areas that you specialize in bringing and adding value to a team, and exercise them well. Knowing your strengths will allow you to contribute better to any and every team you’ll be a part of, and will also make you indispensable to your employer.

Don’t work for less than what you are worth, and know your value so you can ensure you’re being compensated accordingly.

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