9 tips for successful business email correspondence

Artist Dani Donovan has developed a few simple yet effective business correspondence rules. The original post got over 18 thousand likes on Instagram. Here is a translation of these tips.

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📧 I've been working on being more conscious of how I write emails, and made this handy printable guide!. I have a bad habit of overusing exclamation points, emojis, and qualifiers like "just" and "possibly" to sound extra-friendly and non-threatening in emails. (“Just wondering / just confirming / just checking / just making sure / just wanted to let you know”). You are allowed to take up space. Your voice deserves to be heard. Your opinions matter. You don’t need to apologize for existing or asking for what you need. You are not “bossy” or “bitchy” for not sounding like a pep-machine 24/7.. If you act like a doormat, you better develop a taste for shoe leather. You have power too. Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself— no one else is gonna do it for you.. Want to support my art, join our awesome Discord community, and get exclusive access to see new comics before anyone else? Link in bio 💕

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A post shared by Dani Donovan (@danidonovan) on May 22, 2019 at 3:43 pm PDT

You are late, but you have coped with the task

BAD: "Sorry for the delay"

GOOD: "Thanks for the wait."

Make an appointment or dates

BAD: "When will it be convenient for you?"

GOOD: "Would you like * time *?"

Remember: your affairs are as important as timetable interlocutor.

Respond to gratitude

BAD: "No problem"

GOOD: "Glad to help!"

Sure you know the best solution

BAD: "I think we should ..."

GOOD: "It will be better if we ..."

When it's too hard to explain in a letter

BAD: * 40 minutes writing and rewriting one email *

GOOD: "It's easier to talk about when we meet."

Not sure if the other person understood your point

BAD: “I hope you understood my idea.»

GOOD: "Write if you still have any questions!"

Want to know the status of a project or task

BAD: "I just want to make sure ..."

GOOD: "When is it worth waiting for (file / fix / report)?"

Made a mistake that can be corrected and you were told about it

BAD: "Oh, I'm sorry - I didn't notice"

GOOD: “Indeed! I am attaching a corrected file, thanks for noticing "

Need to take time off

BAD: "Can I finish earlier today?"

GOOD: "I need to leave for __ minutes / hours from __: __"