(Dorky? Not for me!)
In a world where every single office-working human has multiple email inbox(es), MS Teams channels, a phone full of text messages, and notifications/messaging for every social media platform, I was tickled pink. What a nice thing for someone to notice. I am in the business of communications, so email is my currency.
It’s important to make it easy for others to understand, remember, and reply to an email message. Bonus if you can avoid annoying people in the process!
Starting with the email subject line, here are some tips.
Email subject line: 5 tips to get it right
- Agenda review > Due Friday, 12/3
- Due COB Friday, 12/3 | Feedback on Strat Plan
2. Flag the call to action. Ideally, before you open the email, you know if you (personally) have to take action on it. In your subject line, include words such as “for review,” etc., to make the action clear. Here are some good ones:
- For review: Slides for CHO meeting on Thurs., 12/9
- Input requested: Proposal feedback
- Decision needed: Go/no go on purchase
- Your vote needed: Pick a tagline
3. Tell me if there is NO action needed. You can do this in the email subject line, and there’s a companion feature, too! Use the light blue down arrow in Outlook. It shows up in the same spot as the nasty red exclamation point that indicates urgency, only it has a cooling, calming effect in your inbox. Try it. A couple good phrases are: “FYI” and “No reply needed.”
- Quick question for Fred: Quote for article on supply chain
- Input request for Fred: Feedback on employee newsletter
What other tips would you add?