How to Write Effective Email – Tip 2

Give them What They Need to Give You What You Need

If you’re emailing someone to ask them for something, spend some time and think of everything you can do to make it easier for them to help you. Is there information they’re going need that you can get for them? Go get it! Don’t make them look things up, look them up yourself and give it to them. Are there questions they’re likely to ask you? Give them those answers in the initial email. Do as much up front homework as you can. The easier you make it for them, the more likely it is that they’ll help you.

If you are not willing to spend the time to think about and gather what they need, your email might be experienced as rude. Think about it. Not only are you asking them for something, you’re making them do work you could have just as easily done yourself.

Tip 1a. Get to the point.
Tip 1b. Be Honest About What You Want

Watching the ballgame. This is the ball field on Hudson between Clarkson and St. Luke’s that was once a graveyard. Still is, in all likelihood. There was never any mention of moving the graves that I saw.

Stacy Horn

I've written six non-fiction books, the most recent is Damnation Island: Poor, Sick, Mad, and Criminal in 19th-Century New York.

View all posts by Stacy Horn →

One thought on “How to Write Effective Email – Tip 2

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Share via
Copy link
Powered by Social Snap