Does Your Business Email Style Really Matter?

Yes, yes, it does. In my view, it’s more than most folks give credit for.

And don’t underestimate how your lack of professional “style” can impact how you are perceived. If you don’t take your email style as seriously as you should, it could negatively impact your career.

Yesterday, I was talking to someone who works in a huge company—a company name you would recognize. This person has been with the company for only two years but has already had three promotions—much to the chagrin of other long-timers.

Email Style = Branding & Perception

Why? Because he is a true professional, not just when others are looking, but at all times, specifically in his email. We talked about how he always gets comments about his professional email style and asked how he knows everything he knows.

The fact is, this guy is smart. Add his ability to be a critical thinker who follows through, and that is not your average employee anyway. However, the way he emails solidifies these abilities because it contributes to the perception of “what doesn’t he do well.” So, as a result, he stands out like a sore thumb.

He’s one of the few who:

Perception is Everything

How do you think his professional email habits contribute to the perception of him as a quality, extraordinary employee? A lot, especially considering how many of his coworkers do not make these efforts.

Add to that those a level or two above his pay grade, and most of his coworkers do not use business email basics, making him stand out even more. He is surprised about that and truly doesn’t understand why he seems to be one of the few who communicate via email the way he does.

To him, his efforts are common sense. He wouldn’t think to do otherwise.

He also shared with me that age seems to be a factor. He is older than many of the folks he communicates with. He was commenting on how the “younger set” seems to treat email like texting and totally as an informal communication tool.

He explained, “I just can’t communicate like that.” So, it’s important to him to always be professional, even in email. I don’t think this is lost on upper management.

Employee Competition is a Thing

To get ahead in business, you have to compete. While some may not consider their job a competition, if you want to excel in a career, you may want to change your perspective.

That means you pay attention to every detail—the basics like coming in on time, all the time, personal hygiene, and an overall display of a positive attitude and capability of teamwork. This includes a firm handshake and looking folks in the eye when speaking to them, showing you mean business.

When added to an evident command of being able to communicate professionally with the written word (a.k.a. email), these little things are how you stand out from the rest. You come off as the consummate professional.

If everything is equal—and it rarely is—using your email communications properly and professionally can enhance your career potential and give you that edge.

Since this is one relatively simple thing, why do so many people not do it? My friend isn’t concerned about that as he continues to climb the ladder of success.