I am always reminded how exciting it is to be a part of this industry after each conference I attend. I recently returned from the ADME conference in Colorado Springs, and it is so refreshing to see the commitment and vision that my fellow colleagues have towards the development of our profession.
I attended this wonderful workshop called “Email: Toxic or Terrific” presented by Sue Hershkowitz-Coore. Wow!!! From an educational standpoint, this workshop was an eye-opener to how we communicate both professionally and personally. Email can be our friend…or foe. With spam tanks, word choice, tone, subject lines, there are so many reasons an email can not be delivered, read or even be misunderstood! With emailing being the main form of communicating, not only for our industry, but for the entire business community, it is amazing we have come this far! So before I hit the send button, I am going to be extra careful and go through my checklist of email do’s and don’ts, better yet, it might be easier just to pick up the phone!
Nevertheless, it is always a worthwhile experience to get together with our peers to learn and exchange information about our destinations. I am always grateful to walk away from each conference more educated and more energized for what’s to come. With that being said, it is on to planning the DMC Network Winter Meeting our company is hosting next week in Hollywood.
2 comments:
Hi Lisa,
Thank you so much for checking out my blog. I will be happy to share the tips with you. Please check back next week for the full list.
Email Tips
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Email Fundamentals
• Always double-check the To: line
• Subject Lines
o Make sure you enter a subject line
o Use specific one subject, subject lines
o Minimize punctuation to get past Spam filters
o Provide deadlines in subject line
• Write conversationally
o Stick to standard conventions of grammar and punctuation
Limit the use of exclamation points
Do not use emoticons (happy faces)
Eliminate chat room chatter (i.e. lol, l8r, btw, etc.)
• Make your message clear and concise
o Resist the urge to tell everything – what does the reader need to know?
• Use upper and lower case appropriately
o ALL CAPS is considered to be shouting and slows down the reading process
o using all lower case is rude
• Spell check, spell check, spell check – then reread before hitting send
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Email Etiquette
• Ask yourself: What conversation am I avoiding by writing this email?
o Don’t try to initiate a relationship with email
o If you question if you should use the phone or email, most likely you should use the phone
• Remember that humor doesn’t travel well and is easily misinterpreted
• NEVER blind copy (bcc:) – It is sneaky
• Spam
o If sending out a sales email, remember to comply with the “Can Spam Act of 2003” http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/buspubs/canspam.htm
o Eliminate backgrounds and colors to avoid being seen as Spam
o Ask for permission before attaching a file – This will alert the recipient to be on the look out in case it goes to their Spam tank
• Recognize that there is no such thing as private email at work
Tips compiled from Email: Toxic or Terrific and Writing with Influence, Sue Hershkowitz-Coore, CSP
www.SpeakerSue.com, High Impact Presentations, Scottsdale, AZ.
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