Your Next Email: Answer These 5 Questions Before Hitting Send

Sending an email? Do this first.

Inbox impositions.

Corporate jargon. 

Advertising algorithms.

With the uptick in all the messaging and marketing tactics—it’s more important than ever that your communications cut through the noise.

Clear the way for stronger email and text communication—internally, externally, and personally—with a few simple steps.

Steve Graves reveals the secret to making sure all of your emails are both meaningful and understood: Ask yourself these five questions before clicking send:

• Is it true?
  Concise, honest answers tend to cut through the clutter and help build trust.

• Is it helpful?
  Be specific and timely in your responses, critiques, and requests.

• Is it personal?
  Being straightforward doesn’t mean you need to be dry. Don’t be afraid to interject your personality or an exclamation mark into the conversation. You’re guaranteed to get a better response.

• Is it relevant?
  Life is short—and so are attention spans. What might have felt important a month ago could be read differently today. Make sure you are staying on top of current business trends as well as progress on internal projects.

• What is the key takeaway?
  Think about what you want to convey—and what you want to happen next. A direct, bulleted approach will leave no room for misinterpretation.

Remember—what you have to say is important. Make the effort to communicate effectively. Prioritizing what’s most important will go a long way to ensure that every message you send is received loud and clear.

Roger that?

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