This saying applies to e-mail as well. By putting in the extra effort and thought into being a pleasure to communicate with you will always experience better results.
For example, this past week I started most e-mails with “Hope you are enjoying your summer!” before I went into my request.
Courtesy isn’t only about holding doors open, saying thank you or helping a coworker — 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 — and more importantly in business — trust.
Take Time for Little E-mail Courtesies
We all get a ton of e-mails. We all feel rushed. To the point where we sometimes have to prioritize and be selective with whom we are going to respond to, in how much detail — or if at all.
When you do not include an opening greeting, a kind question or inquiry your e-mail can be perceived as demanding. Without that “thank you in advance for your help” and your name, your request could be viewed 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!