3 LINES to E-mails THAT GET YOU RESULTS
Larry needed to decide…and I needed an answer.
I clicked “send” on an email to him and exhaled almost violently. “Oh man,” I thought. “This could be bad.”
I had just sent Larry - a prospective client - a pointed, three-line email. It read:
Hey Larry,
Are you still interested in coaching on public speaking?
Let me know!
Andrea
There was no:
“Hope all is well,” or
“Happy Tuesday,” or
“I’m checking in to see if…,” or
“Looking forward to connecting.”
Nope…my usual barrage of friendly-filler-lines was absent from this message. I was attempting a new way of being succinct in my business communication so I could save time, get people's attention, and get others to take decisive action. And - it worked!
See, Larry and I had been going back and forth for a few weeks on whether he wanted to work with me as an executive client. We had corresponded many times and my calendar was booking up fast. Sending that brief, pointed email helped win a new client when Larry decidedly responded, “Yes. Please send the contract.” It also started a new email communication standard for me that I still swear by…and it almost always leads to faster business and getting more done.
The reason this email communication works is this:
It issues a call to action fast. Tell people what you need from them quickly. They’ll appreciate it.
It aligns with the way humans tend to read: we scan. We look for the most important details and make quick choices within split seconds on how we plan to respond.
It cuts back on emotion. I know that’s hard for some people to stomach…many of us were taught to ingratiate ourselves to others so we can “up” or likeability factor. I always wish people well in my emails or ask them how they’re summer is going…AND I make that sentence the last one of my email.
If you want to save time in your day and get faster replies to your emails, try this sentence structure. It works…and people will ultimately be grateful.
