This saying applies to e-mail as well. By putting in the extra effort and thought into being a pleasure to communicate with will get better results.
For example, this past week I started most e-mails with “Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends…” before I went into my request.
Courtesy isn’t only about holding doors open, saying thank you or helping a neighbor — it applies to e-mail as well. By adding courtesy, you are then perceived as someone the other side will want to assist, respond to, go the extra mile for.
A real person — a human being.
We all get a ton of e-mails. To the point where we sometimes have to prioritize and be selective with whom we are going to respond to, in how much details — or if at all.
When you don’t include a greeting, a kind question or inquiry and a thank you in advance for your help and sign your name, your request is viewed as demanding and terse.
For example:
Subject: info needed
i need to know how to get the details organized the way i like. i am wiling to pay a small fee for your assistance but don’t want to get ripped off.
please rely ASAP!!!!!
Now, how much better is this with just a little effort and courtesy?
Hello, Judith:
I hope you had a nice weekend!
I’ve reviewed your site and am hoping you could be of assistance. Here is what I would like to accomplish (details here….).
If this is something you can help me with, please let me know at your convenience what will be involved in time and cost.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
John Doe
Can you see how a little extra courtesy can make a huge difference in how your request is perceived? To think that you will have those on the other side scrambling to reply (instead of hitting delete) to a request like the first is simply wishful thinking.
Courtesy, consideration and taking the time to communicate as a kind and courteous person will speak volumes as to what it will be like to work with you, help you, hire you, acknowledge your request.
Taking the time, making the time to put your best foot forward is always time well spent!
Some More Info for You:
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Most people often overlook on this issue. It does not only apply to day to day conversation but formal email and letter writing as well. Being courteous helps to build trust, respect and integrity.
Hey, Glenn:
Thanks for your comments! That is so true… With that said, I am finding that folks are less courteous and more apt to “jump the gun” as of late. It may be the overall mood of the economy and all the debbie-downers out there at the root of it all — I don’t know. Patience, courtesy and thinking before reacting seems to be at an all time low.
When it comes to business you need to /always/ be courteous and cheery. Anything less will reflect on your level of professionalism.
At your service,
Judith
It seems obvious that regardless of whether you are a service provider or even a customer, the courtesy call will often make a lot of difference. To me as a service provider, it helps to establish a business relationship with potential customers while at the same time, take on another role, being a customer, people will take the extra effort to serve me better. And yeah, that applies to both online and offline dealings all the time. Thanks for the helpful and mind-provoking thoughts.
Hey, Sock:
Thanks for stopping by and for the great comments. Great minds think alike!?
At your service,
Judith
Many of today’s internet users are not accustomed to proper gestures in making mails. Except for the secretaries I guess. This post will definitely remind people the importance of kindness and courteousness in dealing with other people through emails.
Thanks for sharing this article.
Hey, Johnny:
Thanks you for taking the time to share your input. I too believe that every once and awhile we all need to be reminded that there are living breathing people on the other side of our e-mails that deserve our time and courtesy. We also need to remember that e-mail is not “all about me” and what you want, need or perceive should be the situation. There will always be at least two people involved and aspects or concerns of value to both.
I too hope those who will read this will be reminded of that too!
I completely agree – to add to it, I believe courtesy can apply to the internet in general, not just e-mail. Whether it be facebook, twitter, or even marketing. Being genuine honest and not treating others as fools is a major part of your online reputation and cannot be undermined.
I’m personally very sick of receiving e-mails and tweets constantly from businesses that merely spam… very frustrating and destroys their reputations in my mind…
Very enjoyable post!
Hey, Mark:
Thanks for stopping by! I’ m sure you’ll agree that many online businesses underestimate the power of listening and interacting instead of always hard selling — which many times is perceived as spamming.
Appreciate your comments!