We live in a world where email is an essential way for us to communicate and share with others what is they need to know.  With that influx of email coming our way we often treat it as if it does not deserve our full attention.  How can we do a better job of managing our email and communicating in a way that others will want to read what we have to say.  I would like to share with you several things that have helped me do a better job handling email and getting others to read what I want to share with them.

1. Treat email professionally not as a friend – too often when we respond to email we are looking to make a quick response and get it done.  However, we forget that it still needs to be professional.  Use a greeting, I hate getting emails where someone does not acknowledge who they are talking too and just start telling me what they want me to know.  That is not a professional email.
2. Use english and spell check - while this may not seem hard in concept few people ever really take the time to do these things.  So you get an email with miss spelled words and things that do not make sense.
3. Realize others may read it – there are times when your email does not just fall into the box of the one that you intended to read it.  When you write make sure that you are saying things that you do not care if the world hears about it or not.  If it needs to be private then I would encourage you to pick up the phone and make a call.
4. Be clear and concise – make sure they know what you are talking about and that you only say what is necessary for the recipient.  There is no need to justify yourself in an email, share what you need them to know.  I once read a rule that said, “no scrolling” if it does not fit on a page then say something different.
5. No conflict – hopefully by now most of us realize that conflict is only best handled through face to face interaction.  Do not try and use email to handle issues it will always bite you back.
6. Do not forward emails - the quickest way to get on someones blocked list is to keep sending them random emails about cute little things that you have seen.  If you really feel it is important then change the subject line.

I hope these things are beneficial to you as you send out hundreds of emails daily.  If you have any other suggestions then share them below.