A couple weeks ago, a good friend sent an email that ended with a question and I replied to that email with an answer. The funny thing is, that as I read the email I couldn’t believe how badly my friend was baiting me. I remember thinking – I can’t wait to delete this horse crap.
The pop psychology of a question
My friend did a few things completely right with that email. First, before he ever got to the question, he wrote a compelling subject line that got me to open the email. Okay, it was from a friend so I would have opened it anyway. Next, he started by clearly explaining what the email would be about.
By the time I got to his well-worded question asking for my help by sharing my opinion on the subject, I couldn’t’ refuse. Never mind that we vehemently disagree on this topic. He had done everything else right in a civil and well thought out tone.
It works
Moments after sending the reply, I sat and pondered why. I think deep down we all want to be useful and helpful. My friend asked for my help and I responded. I started crafting most of my emails like my friend’s:ending with a question. As you might imagine, it has greatly reduced the number of times I have to send the old “FYI – when you have time could I get a response” emails. Or worse yet, picking up the dreaded phone to triple tap the poor soul on the other end of the line about the subject.
Good clear communication saves a great deal of time. Before you start thinking this makes me manipulative,instead think of all the time you save everyone involved; including me. I explain what I need and then ask a very specific question. You respond to the question. Boom! We are done.
Please utilize the comments of this post to let us all know what works for getting responses to your emails.
(The topic of my friend’s email you ask? – The Green Bay Packers, New York Giants game. He proved to be correct, the Packers won. – and you thought I was all business…)
Great post Jim. I tell everyone subject lines are just as important as the body.
I also suggest and utilize long subject lines for a number of reasons.
1) we live in a sound bite world. So you got 1 shot to drop the message.
2) Almost everyone I know is reading more than 50% of their email via mobile phone. So scrolling through the who/what filter we have developed in this day and age is part of our life.
If you can capture the subject line, then next you have to me transparent. If you know them well, say because I know you like blah blah, I feel your input would help me.
It’s a compliment and helps the person to know what they need so they can be direct back without a lot of time.
I don’t find it manipulative, I find it respectful for the other persons time.
Lastly, I always end with offering if there is something I can do for them. I try to be specific if there is an area I can help, and I always make sure it’s something I can do for free.
You have to give to get. With sincerity you always get, if it’s the comfort of knowing you helped a colleague.
-Matt
Matt,
Seems like your suggesting that I write subject lines like blog post titles or Tweets – makes great sense actually. I also find myself looking at my subject lines and asking myself if I’d open an email with that subject. One and two word subject lines seem to get my attention if they are from someone I know. Think “meeting request” or “potential sale” – quick hits like that.
Jim
Seems like the same rules apply to email that apply to blogging, that also apply to SM, oh and also apply to business, ooh, and wait, also apply to life!
Be engaging? 🙂
Joe,
Well there you go this post could have been two words 🙂
Jim