Have you heard of email fatigue?
It’s one of the byproducts of working from home. The lack of face-to-face interactions made everyone send numerous emails and messages instead. As a result, over one-third of employees say they may quit their jobs because of overload.
Emails are an unavoidable part of your daily work life. It’s time we pay attention to how we write them.
You can help decrease email fatigue and improve response rates. Check out these common work email mistakes, and learn how to avoid them.
Check also EMAIL PROTECTION: Why Is It Important
#1. Bad Subject Lines
Writing email subject lines is a struggle for most. Sometimes, it’s an afterthought – we write whatever seems fitting before we hit the send button.
This common mistake can brand you as unprofessional. Your emails might go to the spam folder instead, more so if you include trigger words.
Write better subject lines by doing it before the rest of your message. Keep it short, but include the vital details, such as the deadline or a question. Be clear about your email’s intent.
#2. Priority Marks
Do you mark all your emails as urgent? We know you want a fast response. Avoid this common mistake. Chances are, you can wait most of the time.
When every email is urgent, nothing is. Soon, your colleagues will know to ignore all your messages, even when you need an immediate response this one time.
#3. Copying the CEO or Everyone
You might think that including the higher-ups in your email will make the recipient prioritize you, but all it does is annoy everyone. Your boss or the CEO doesn’t need to know about every little thing.
Another work email mistake is hitting that Reply All button. Don’t include anyone else when only one individual needs to know.
To avoid these mistakes, check your “to,” “cc,” and “bcc” fields. Avoid the “Reply All” button when responding to emails unless that’s what you need to do.
#4. Missing Greetings and Closings
When writing work emails, we often miss the greeting and closing words in a rush to respond. However, this is a common courtesy you must always practice. They provide a sense of professionalism and formality.
#5. Not Double-Checking
Did you remember to attach the document? Are you sending it to the right person?
Even in a rush, take the time to double-check these details. Check the grammar, spelling, and pretty much everything else.
#6. Using Improper Grammar and Tone
A fast-paced setting makes us more prone to email grammar mistakes. One or two is excusable, but constantly making errors makes you look unprofessional. Anyone who reads your emails will lose trust in you.
Aside from double-checking, you can use an extension that checks your email for you. An example is Grammarly, which helps with spelling, grammar, punctuation, and more. You can be sure you’re sending a professional email answer every time.
Avoid These Common Work Email Mistakes Now
Are you guilty of one or more of these work email mistakes? You’ve likely already damaged your reputation or work relationships to some degree. Still, it’s not too late to undo it.
Becoming better at writing emails helps you look professional and trustworthy.
Did you find this guide helpful? For more tips, check out our other posts today.
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