Research shows people receive 67 email messages per day that directly relate to the active projects on their desk.
That figure does NOT include emails you are copied on, the funny jokes that make the rounds or the newsletters, information updates and ezines you collect. Total all those up too and you could easily be getting 200 or more emails every day.
No doubt emails have made communication faster, but faster communication does not always make better communication!
Action – Here are a few ways to use email wisely and maximize it’s benefits for you and your contacts:
- Only check your inbox twice a day or once an hour. Don’t sit on your computer as if it were an egg waiting to hatch!
- If you cannot keep your emails short, such as 2 small paragraphs, meet or phone the recipient instead.
- Excuse yourself from being copied in to everything by asking others to contact you only if you’re needed for something specific.
- If you have any hesitations about being misinterpreted, don’t send the email! Personal contact would be better.
- Be punchy, use bullet points and get to your purpose quickly. The recipient is just as busy as you so don’t waffle on with filler.
And most importantly, don’t use email as your primary communication tool with clients or close colleagues. Relationships are built on the quality of contact, and email usually rates pretty low.