Business E-mail Tip: Read Before You Write

As a culture we’ve become lazy. Many are of the opinion that their time is more important than others so they don’t take the time, make the time, to read an e-mail or review a Web site in it’s entirety. I see this in business communications through my various sites every day.

Assuming a site is well designed and the information you seek is only a click or two away, don’t just jump for that Contact button. Make the effort to click to the info you are looking for and then take the time to read it.

With all the information online and provided by request, the least we can do is make an effort to read it. I get e-mails daily from clients who forward an e-mail they received with questions pertaining to its content that if they took the time to read the entire e-mail, they would have their answer.

I also receive site inquiries from those who are interest in my WordPress Consultant services when all the details they seek are literally one or two clicks away — the same as the contact form they chose to fill out instead.

Being I am all about customer service, I reply — and point them right back to those pages on my site that have the details they are seeking. But right there I can’t help but form an impression about what it will be like to assist someone with their online success when they are unwilling to do some basic due diligence.

I’m sure you’ll agree that online success is all about information. Finding, reading, embracing, practicing and reading some more…

Things don’t get any easier than this folks. To not want to take the time to read what is available to you, because you are too busy not only lacks a sense of courtesy for those who have provided the information you don’t want to read, but reflects a hint of narcissism in your personality.

Always read e-mails sent to you before questioning or assuming. Most misunderstandings can be avoided by doing so. Sometimes, it may be necessary to read an e-mail 2 or 3 times to make sure you don’t misread intent or inquiry.

At Web sites, make the effort to find what you are looking for before you take up the site owner’s time requiring they provide answers or information already on their site for your convenience. Then ask questions if you require more info or clarification.

When I am addressed by name with questions that reflect the Sender took the time to read about me and my methodology and is inquiring about details I know are specific to them because they did read my offerings, makes me excited about a potential partnership. Isn’t that the type of impression you would like to make?

By not taking the time to read before you write, you let others know what it will be like to communicate, work with or do business with you. Whether you leave a good impression or not is entirely up to you!