Catchy, no? But true!

The number one problem with email is badly formulated emails and subject lines. Badly written subject lines alone count for thousands of wasted hours, reading, trying to figure them out, sent to the Spam folders, etc. It’s a serious drain on our modern computer life.

And I am not the only one who finds those annoyances a drain, enters stage right, Scott H. Young with a great post about the Seven Deadly Sins of Email. And right he is:

1) Hanging Questions you receive, answer them, whether or not you have the answer, let them know.
2) Buried Requests. You know those ones, can’t figure out what it is about until the “gatcha” moment. Clearly make your request as a stand alone sentence. It will be clear enough for the person to understand what you are asking of them.
3) Wrong Medium. I love this one. How many times involved with back and forth emails that drag forever? Just cut to the chase, especially if it is a brainstorming session and ask the person to meet face-to-face. the results will be quicker.
5) Sending Urgent Requests Through E-Mail. His guideline is that he shouldn’t send an e-mail if he needs a response in less than five days. You make your own time frame but email is slower than a phone call.

Anyway, Scott has some good points. I would add, BE CLEAR IN YOUR SUBJECT LINE. Hav mercy on people like me that receive over 250 emails a day! Be clear in the subject line, be quick to the point and don’t treat an email as a ventilation system for your frustrations at work. Call people instead of those back and forth.