Drafting Tough Emails. 6 Tips To Get You To Send.
Your friend really did it this time. You specifically said, “Don’t tell anyone about my love for chewing on scented toilet paper.” Yet, they said something anyway. You’re sick of talking about that big mouth of theirs and now it’s time to put it in writing.
On top of that, your deskmate peels hard-boiled eggs every damn morning! How do you speak up (or write up)? Time for yet another difficult email.
Here’s how to get ‘em both done.
Oh and these tips work great for any tough email!
One. Breathe. Seriously … breathe. If you are labeling the email a “difficult” one, then you are probably feeling a bit anxious. Remember, a few deep, slow breaths will be calming, pretty much right away.
Two. Think. Before you begin, think about your goals. Truly consider what you’d like to accomplish with the email. Are you looking to resolve a conflict? Are you extending an olive branch? Whatever it is, keep in mind that your goal is to accomplish something and those intentions should be very clear.
Three. Be concise. While there is no guarantee your email will be read in its entirety or even at all, you can increase your chances by saying plenty, with few words.
Four. Stay respectful. Hey, you don’t go to your inbox to be roasted or bashed and unless you’re in the mood for a little torture, you probably wouldn’t finish reading an email that’s making you feel like crap. So, keep that in mind when drafting yours … stay respectful.
Five. Proof. This a rather important email, right? Be sure to proof your work so you don’t risk seeming anything other than serious about your stuff in the eyes of your recipient. If you trust a friend or family member with your personal biz, then you can always ask them to take a peek!
Six. Be open. If the email is difficult for you to write, it will also probably be difficult for your recipient to receive. Keep in mind that you may actually receive a response and you should really be open to their side of the situation. Doing so will not only help you draft a better email, but you’ll also be able to really put the situation in perspective.
Now relax … it’s done!
