In the last 20 years email has become a critical tool for workplace communication. it has replaced the phone for sure.

Email allows us to communicate efficiently and to the point (if we do it right). Documents, links, reference points are all easily attachable to further our point.  Sloppy emails are counterproductive. Like anything else, it is a skill and needs practice.

While I don't have stats to back it up, my experience links quality of email skill to income level.

Here are 7 ways to write better emails.

1.      Have a clear subject line.

It highlights the purpose of the email.  That highlight is good for the reader, and good for you the writer. It clearly defines the purpose of your communication.

2.      Don’t change the subject without changing subject lines.  

Want to confuse your reader? Change the topic in the reply sequence.  Modify the subject line if you are replying on a different topic than the original.

3.      A greeting is always nice. 

Hi “first name”, or “good morning first name” is always appreciated and sets a nice tone. Maybe a “hope all is well”, “hope you are having a good day” can be thrown in. Everyone likes to hear from someone who is positive.

4.      Re-read your emails before hitting send. 

Grammar, punctuation, and spelling and are important. They say a lot about the care you put into your communication. While not all people care, those signing paychecks often do. 

5.      Keep emails as short as possible.

Short words. Short sentences. Get to the point. If you hit reply to the same person more than 3x, probably time for a call.

6.      Don’t email angry. 

Don’t have full worlds in CAPS. Don’t email after disappointing or upsetting news.

7.      Don’t email bad news.

Bad news needs a better medium than email. We are people after all!