Email Tips from Karen - aka is this YOU?
Email seems to be a bit of a mystery to some folks, who shall remain nameless, but fortunately Karen is here to help over several newsletters. Check out the things you do, and calculate your expertise below. One point for each thing that you do as Karen suggests.
1. The EMAIL TO field
Karen suggests that you send it to anyone you know who may be even slightly interested in hearing from you. "You just never know" says Karen, "better to be safe than sorry. Don't get confused by advice that you should only send TO those who you actually want to do something" says Karen, "thats old school, much better to send to everyone and then you'll be sure to get at least one reply."
2. The COPY TO field
No need to use this field, and again the old advice to use this field only for people who are copied in for "information" is redundant, as you've already got them on the EMAIL TO field. Simple.
3. The EMAIL SUBJECT field
"Best to leave this blank" says Karen, "as there is a chance that folks might not read your email, if they already know the subject. Other acceptable email titles are "Hi" or "Hello" as this stirs interest without giving away what the email is about".
""Putting "For action" or "URGENT" or the like in the title field should be used with tremendous caution as that presumes I know what I am talking about"" says Karen. Wise words indeed.
4. Received an email with a EMAIL SUBJECT already in the email title?
"Ignore the title if it happens to you" says Karen, "the important question to ask yourself is who is this email from? Then you reply (preferably to ALL, with the latest thing thats entered your mind that you think this person may be interested in."
"Feel free to continue the email conversation with topics that have nothing at all to do with the title already there." Says Karen. "This makes for a fascinating and endless email trail, with titles far removed from the subject matter in the email". says Karen.
5. How many subjects should be in an email?
Karen totally disagrees with advice of only 1 or 2 subjects per email. "The more the merrier" she says "that way all the issues can grow to a universe of diverse emails with cross purposes and confusion, creating even more email, and filling up your inbox in no time ....especially if you use the REPLY ALL to every email as Karen suggests,
The added bonus says Karen is that "there is the real possibility that important messages will get lost in the general confusion so no harm done there".
How did you do? Get all five? ....then click away, you're completely up to speed on electronic communication. 