Feedback from my manager that totally changed how I write emails

My boss pulled me aside last month after I sent a confusing email to a client in Chicago. She said my problem was I always buried the main point in the third paragraph... nobody reads that far down. She told me to start every work email with the request or action I need, then explain why after. I tested it on 5 emails that week and got replies in half the time compared to before. Has anyone else had a simple communication fix like that totally shift their workflow?

2 comments

2 Comments

skylerp2027d agoMost Upvoted

Oh man, that's exactly what I needed to hear too. I started doing the same thing after a client missed a deadline because they didn't read to the end of my email.

wendy_murphy1627d ago

I read somewhere that managers spend an average of 13 seconds on each email, which explains why burying the point never works. Same thing @skylerp20 experienced with that client missing the deadline, people just skip to what they think is important. Your boss gave you solid advice that makes a real difference in how fast things get done.