The HBR Guides Collection (8 Books) (HBR Guide Series)

105

Chapter 18

E-mails

When you send e-mails, do you usually receive a useful,

friendly, timely response? Or one that falls short of that

ideal? Or no response at all? If you’re struggling to get

your recipients to focus on your messages, it’s because

you’re competing with a lot of senders—in some cases,

hundreds per day.

Here’s how to write e-mails that people will actually

read, answer, and act on:

•

Get straight to the point—politely, of course—in

your fi rst few sentences.

Be direct when making

a request. Don’t fulsomely butter up the recipi-

ent fi rst—although a brief compliment may help

(“Great interview. Thanks for sending it. May I ask

a favor?”). Spell out deadlines and other details the

recipient will need to get the job done right and ...