May 17, 2012

Email Follow Up Subject: Field Attention Getters

Do you need a response to a previous e-mail and want to do a follow-up but are unsure how to make a point that you really really need a response?  First, if you are frustrated due to a lack of response consider whether picking up the phone and actually having a person-to-person discussion may be more productive than sending a follow-up that may … [Read more...]

Are Your E-mail Reply Time Expectations Unreasonable?

Do you expect those you e-mail to stop everything and respond -- like now?  Are you one of those folks who after sending an e-mail, if a response is not received within an hour, you pickup the phone and ask "Didn't you get my e-mail?"   If someone expects a quick reply to an e-mail, should it be stated in the e-mail? Stating you expect a … [Read more...]

How Fast Should You Respond to Business E-mails?

A site visitor was curious and pondered: What is the standard turn around time to send a business email response? Short Answer: As fast as you can! Long Answer: I recommend at least within 24 hours if at all possible. If you cannot respond quickly, just send a note saying you will respond when you can do so in detail. Those considering doing … [Read more...]

Are Your Business E-mails Being Ignored?

O.K., first let's look at the formal definition of "ignore:" ig·nore (ĭg-nôr', -nōr') tr.v. ig·nored, ig·nor·ing, ig·nores To refuse to pay attention to; disregard. Assuming your e-mail are typed properly and include business e-mail best practices, with the above in mind, if someone doesn't respond to your e-mail, yes, you … [Read more...]

Business E-mail Receipt Fibs

Funny how I every so often I get an e-mail asking my advice about the acceptability of fibbing about the receipt of an e-mail. Got one of those today. This individual felt it was O.K. to act as though they hadn't received an e-mail thereby giving them an excuse to not respond. Can't respond to what you haven't received, right? Wrong! Unless … [Read more...]

E-mail Etiquette Requires Your Reply

A site visitor writes: My brother-in-law, who I also work with, never acknowledges messages that I send to him unless I ask him a direct question...and, even then, he sometimes fails to respond...so I have no way of knowing when, or if, he's received my message...or what he thinks about it. There are times where I need his business direction and … [Read more...]