 |
Achieve the Appropriate Tone in Email |
|
|
Submitted by Writer's Cramp Syndications
| RSS Feed
| Add Comment
| Bookmark Me!
Are your email messages too casual? Or, are they too formal? Are you using the appropriate tone?
Email messages are different from typed letters. You can’t be “too” formal in a letter. In an email, too formal looks silly. What’s the appropriate tone for an email? -- slightly more casual than a letter. Yet, there’s a fine line between being too relaxed and too stiff.
To some degree, the attitude and culture of your company will dictate the amount of formality necessary. For example, floral shops and hotels won’t be as formal as a bank or law firm.
As you compose the message, consider the person who will be reading it. Know your audience.
The job gets easier when you’re replying to a message. You can already see the tone of the sender. All you have to do is match that tone.
When in doubt, strive for a tone that is professional, yet conversational. One easy way to achieve a conversational tone is to use contractions (I’ll, we’ll, he’s, she’s).
Also, it’s acceptable to use pronouns. In conversation, we use the words “I, we, you.” So, use these in emails. For example, “It is suggested . . . “ sounds very stiff. Instead, try, “I suggest . . .”
Be careful with the pronoun “I.” Using too many can be perceived as egotistical. You don’t want to appear pompous. If you notice an abundance of “I’s,” try rewriting every other sentence. This will create variety, and that pesky personal pronoun won’t be as obvious.
Email is a great form of communicating. Just remember that your old typed-letter writing style should be adapted so your messages don’t sound stilted and stiff. On the other hand, email is NOT a license to be sloppy. The most effective email messages find a happy balance. They have a conversational tone.
Click for Details --> Customer Generating Machine <--
|
|
|
|
|
LinkedIn Recommendation:
 Demetrius Reardon - Search Engine Optimization Manager at Blue Galaxy Marketing - I just attended Teo's LinkedIn workshop and am getting more information on how to use it. Great stuff. He told us everything there was to know about LinkedIn in one sentence. Then went into details, then added some optional ways to use it, just so much information so quickly... I had a little trouble keeping up, but he kept coming back to that one sentence to show how it all fits. It really is easy! Love Teo's style! He's got a lot of energy and would love to meet him in person someday! - March 17, 2012, Demetrius was Teo's client |
|
Featured [email] Articles:
|
|
