Back (Library)

E-Mail is Good actually

Part 2: How does one do it?

When I had finished my earlier article about e-mail, I proudly added its link in the Library, when I had sent a probable total of three personal e-mails in my life. Not exactly a professional amount.

After this, I have sent a tiny bit more e-mails, and every time I write one, I always forget to include some crucial detail. So, I have now decided to compile some lists, to make sure I think of/remember everything I want to say to the chosen recipient.

It is mostly for myself, but if you are as bad at remembering things as I am, or as big a fan of lists as I am, or just in need of some light guidance, then of course you can use this for your own e-mailing activities!

Reaching out to cool people

  1. Nice greeting.
    2. A "Hello!", "Greetings!" or even a "Salutations!" if you feel like it.

  2. Who are you?
    3. Indroduce yourself short style. Name and any relevant biography stuff.

  3. How did you find this person?
    4. It's always fun to know where and how people find you on the interwebs! Was it a recommendation from a friend, through aimless exploring or maybe an ad?

  4. Why are you e-mailing them?
    5. What did you find so cool about this person you just had to e-mail them about it? This is generally the meatiest part of such an e-mail. Write anything that comes into your head.

  5. Any questions?
    6. Did the coolness level spark inquiries? Elaborate on why you want to ask. Asking questions to someone makes it easier for them to respond, especially if they happen to be not good at answering e-mails.

  6. Sign off
    7. Write a good-bye and then your name. Maybe also a link to where the recipient could find you outside of your e-mail adress.

Answering e-mails

  1. Nice greeting.
    2. See above.

  2. Go pragraph by paragraph.
    3. Answer each part or theme in roughly the order they were sent to you in the e-mail. You can also start your own paragraphs by with "To answer the part about..." or bake the question into the answer.

  3. Any questions?
    4. Keep your e-mail thread going by asking questions back, and don't forget to elaborate!

  4. Sign off
    5. See above.

Got any e-mail conundrums you want a guide/list for? E-mail me!