Do Your Email Subject Lines Reflect Your Professionalism?

The email subject line - Do you give it much thought when you create one? You should!

The intent of the subject line is to have people want to open and read the email message. It's amazing how much time can be put into the writing of an email only to have the subject line inspire readers to delete or just pass on by without opening!  Something is going on .. laziness, assuming too much, just not thinking?  Who knows?  But it's catchy!  Seems like people are saying, "if they get away with it, I'll do it also."   Not good!

The subject line is also a first level "connection" to all you communicate with.  It provides you with an opportunity to present yourself "in front" of your business clients and co-workers frequently. So I ask, do your email subject  lines reflect your professionalism?  And in what way ... good or bad?

If you want to send out the emails that recipients what to receive, open and read, and reflect quality professionalism,  start with the Golden Rule of online communications!
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                  "Remove The Need For Readers To Have To Think!"
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Ask yourself if "your" subject lines follow this Golden Rule.  Are you being clear, distinct, to the point and leaving no question in the reader's mind as to what the message is "about."   Your reader's head stays clear - no grey requiring  "guessing, confusion, ie.having to think?"

Also remember that emails are meant for quick communications.  Readers are going into their inbox and scanning down while they have a "minute" to check their emails.    Make your first few words "speak" to what the rest of the subject line is about.  It's those first few words that will be seen, i.e. Invitation To Promotion Party For John Stevens  vs.   You Are Being Invited To A Promotion Party For John Stevens. Both subject lines "are" distinct ... but the first one gets to the point faster for the reader.

Last, but not least, much of creating a good subject line is basic consideration for others, good etiquette, manners .. .call it what you might... but it boils down to thinking of your recipient, not yourself!  Making it easy for "them" not you! 

Start using these tips and ideas for creating better subject lines and see what happens in your office and with all your business interactions.  Are you getting better replies, are you seeing better subject lines sent back to you,  are your overall email communications better.  Would love to receive your comments and thoughts.

Also, know that Today's Way offers one-on-one email workshops and seminars specific to individual businesses. Call to inquire how we may help you!  

In the mean time,
Keep your business garden growing! margie hanson
www.todaysway.net

5 Email Subject LIne "DON'Ts"

Hello to all .. .

Have been noticing an increase in "laziness" when it comes to creating our one-to-one email subject lines! Not a good idea as this is where ...

• Your "first" impression begins.
• Where your reader creates a mind-set for opening and then reading your message.
• Where an emotion is created about you, the sender!!

Did you know all that was going on? I hope not!

HERE ARE 5 DON'Ts FOR EMAIL SUBJECT LINES

1. DON'T leave your subject line blank.
   A blank subject line often, upon first glance, is seen as spam. No hope of getting it opened.
   x
2. DON'T put your message in the subject line.
   Some people just read the beginning and assume the message is inside ( where it is supposed to be). When they open to a blank message area they get confused .. are not sure if something you wrote didn't come through, have to go back to the subject line and check to see if there is more ~ it all adds up to an unpleasant communication written obviously for YOUR convenience, not theirs.
   
   You might say it is just a short message so it "is" for the convenience of the recipient. They still do not know there is nothing inside and upon seeing the blank interior can be left in a "grey" mindset where they really don' t know if there is more for them to know. Just does not work in your favor.
   x
3. DON'T grab an old email and keep the old email subject line for a new message!
   Your recipient is sure going to feel less than special don't you think? Great way to build upon a relationship. You are also risking them not even opening it for thinking it is old news.
   
   Take the 30 seconds it takes to grab that old email so you can find their email address, copy and paste their address into a "new" email with a new subject line. It will change your recipient's entire attitude about you.
   x
4. DON'T assume you are tho only person who sends emails to your recipient.
   By this I mean if you make your subject line be about "lunch" ... identify the day of the lunch, purpose of the lunch, or even say lunch with you( by name). Make it easy for your recipient to know exactly what your email is addressing. Not everyone looks at the "from" name .. or at least not before confusion and discontent sets in ... subliminally or conscious wise.
   x
5. DON'T be cute or tricky.
   No one these days opens anything that does not get to the point. It is usually regarded as spam and deleted before a "from" name is even looked at. See more on this under number 4"s description.
   
   

Bottom line .. be clear, concise, distinct and considerate. The more you can eliminate "any" need for the recipient to think about what the email is about, the more positively your email will be received in the reader's inbox. Upon passing this point, the more likely your email will be opened and read!
x
Remember each and every one-on-one email is an opportunity to further develop your relationship with your recipient. Take advantage and make sure your emails are positive experiences.
x
Keep your business growing ...
margie

Domain Email Addresses

Hi ...

I was just doing my normal "catch-up" over the weekend and a couple of thoughts came into my mind that I thought I would share.

Actually it all started last Thursday when a website client from about 6 months ago called me. She was getting new business cards and wanted to know which of two website domain addresses ( a long one and a second abbreviated version) she should put on her business cards. Once we got that determined, we moved on to her email address fitting on the card as well. She never set up her domain email addresse and was still using a personal yahoo address. No matter what I said she couldn't get her mind around changing from her personal email address to her domain email address!

Why is this? It seems so obvious that #1 it is much more professional. Secondly it is also much easier for the eye to grasp when glancing at a business card, hence will be easier to use. Remember the golden rule of the internet ... convenience and hassle free communications.

A third, probably "most" important reason, at least to me, is that it is easier to remember! That counts for the website as well. Don't you think when looking at a new contact and seeing one domain name the odds are better that you will remember "one" meaning you have both. If you have to remember two ... the odds are ( in my mind) I will forget "both!"

What do you think? I did just send off an email to a client that a couple of years ago thought she would never be able to give up her aol address. As I easily typed in her domain email address I thought how she has 100% made the transition into "using" her domain email address. It isn't that hard to do folks! And ... well worth it professionally for all the reasons discussed!

Keep your business growing ...
margie

Oops ... I Didn't Mean To Send That!

I was just doing my morning reading and there was a great article on CNN.com that asked if you had ever sent an email to the incorrect person! I don't believe that I personally have done that, but I can't think of a worse fate ... depending, of course, upon what was in the email!

The article brought to mind some email "procedures" I try to practice that I wanted to share this morning. Maybe some of you have some tips you can share also! If so please post your comments for all of us to know.

One of my routine practices with email that covers me with the correct recipient, plus any incorrect "sends," is to always proofread prior to sending. Spellcheck takes care of my spelling, but I proof for how the reader will interpret my message ... tone wise. Do I sound short, curt, rude, angry, too nice, too soft, etc. I will choose different words or ways of expressing myself if I see any need for correction. I also proof the email with the knowledge that this email, when sent, is "done." Am I saying "anything" that I do not want anyone else at any time to see? If so, I delete that part of my content and either decide to call the person on that item or just permanently eliminate it from all of my communications! .

Also ... the CNN article included an incident where one mis-sent email resulted in losing a $5 Million Dollar client! This happened because of the "reply to all" function. The "reply to all" button is one to stay away from unless required by a group or organization. You might think there are only three people on the list, but you have no idea who received a "blind cc" of the email! Be very, very careful of that button.

I think you all know I love email as a wonderful one-to-one medium ... the reason being that your email communications can truly bond you with your reader. That same strength can instantly destroy relationships.

Who else has some tips???

Keep your business growing,
margie