Shahroz Afzal
When writing professional emails, it’s important to use the proper address. The standard formal address is Dear, but a less formal version is Greetings or Salutations. Avoid using Dear Sir or Madam as it’s impersonal. The same goes for abbreviations. You can even use a web tool, such as Grammarly, to check your writing.
Avoid acronyms
In today’s email world, using abbreviations and emoticons is more common than ever. While using acronyms and emoticons in your emails is useful, you should also understand the meanings of each word and know how to properly use them. This means learning how to use proper salutations and the basic parts of an email.
Abbreviations are a great way to communicate quickly and efficiently. But, they can also cause confusion. The acronym LOL is a great example of a popular acronym that has multiple meanings. It caused a lot of confusion when it first appeared online, as older generations could not figure out its meaning.
Avoid buzzwords
It’s important to avoid using buzzwords in your professional emails. They’re not only confusing, but can also lead to negative reactions from recipients. Buzzwords are generally overused, and they give the impression that you’re hiding something. Instead, use the same language you would use to speak to your friends and family.
The first rule of email writing is to avoid using jargon or buzzwords. These words and phrases tend to sound robotic and make your email look long and watery. The recipient of your email will quickly disregard it if it contains these words.
Avoid back-and-forth
Emails are an essential part of our personal and professional lives, but they can also take up a significant portion of our time. According to a recent study by Adobe, working-age people spend an average of three to five hours a day responding to emails. While it is impossible to achieve Inbox Zero, there are many ways to improve your productivity with emails. By cutting down on duplicate messages and speeding up interactions, you’ll be much more efficient with your communication.
First, make sure the subject line clearly states the topic of the email. Follow up with specific questions in the body of the email. If your client lives close by, you may also consider pushing for a personal meeting. This will provide more time for further detail and will help you avoid back-and-forth emails.
Avoid long paragraphs
Emails should be short and simple to read, and long paragraphs will make your message look unprofessional. Avoiding long paragraphs will also make your communication more organized and professional. You can use bullet points to summarize information, or use numbered sections for more information. Moreover, keep in mind that long paragraphs will distract from the content of your message, which makes it difficult to read.
Keep your paragraphs around seven lines long. If you have to expand on an idea later, create a new paragraph. Use key words at the beginning and end of each paragraph to ensure organization.
Avoid CCs
CCing your boss in an email is a common mistake that can hurt your reputation. This practice is not only unprofessional, but it also erodes trust in the workplace. Studies have found that nearly half of respondents mistrust their coworkers for regularly CCing their boss. It’s also a waste of time and resources, and it’s a sign of poor taste.
When sending email responses, you should only include relevant recipients. Avoid CCing meaningless emails. Instead, list recipients in the “To” field.
Avoid emojis
Using emojis in professional emails can create a negative perception for you and your coworkers. Studies show that one-third of senior executives feel that using emojis is unprofessional. Others believe that using emojis in business communications is acceptable, but they should be used carefully and strategically. In most cases, you should avoid using emojis in emails related to important business updates, or in serious situations.
While emojis can be helpful in email marketing, emojis can also hurt your brand image. In addition to the fact that they may not look professional, they can irritate customers. Use emojis sparingly and only after you’ve identified the recipient’s conversation style and have established a standard meaning. This way, you’ll reduce the risk of conflict.
