After The Show There's.....Email?

After going to a trade show, there's always such a pile of email and mail. I was only out of the office for two days and it took me almost two hours to get through the emails when I returned.

I am always looking for ways to get a better, more efficient handle on dealing with email, so today I'll share a smart tip I received in an email newsletter (of course I did....did you see that one coming? :)

It's from Fortune Magazine's Ask Annie. Here it is:

Structure matters. Avoid sending a wall of words. Instead, start every message with a greeting of no more than 8 words. (For example: "That was an interesting meeting yesterday.") Then use the ABC method to divide your e-mail into 3 distinct sections: Action (stating your purpose), Background (presenting your key points), and Close (clarifying the next steps).

This advice applied mostly to a lengthier email, but really, what a great concept! I'm starting to use it NOW. For the entire newsletter post and other great ways to control your email, click here.

posted by Caroline Stanley @ 4:56 PM