Inglorious E-mailers

We create new language for ourselves with each new medium. Twitter's got me writing "u" for "you" and "cuz" for "because." But I'm baffled at e-mail. It's more convenient than picking up the phone. But we treat it like a to-do list. Short, pointed, lifeless statements we'd never speak to someone in person.

Here's to conveying personality through e-mail. Use the entire span of punctuation God gave us. Throw in a grace-filled greeting. Sign off warmly. Let people know you're glad to hear from them. Try to make Dale Carnegie proud by winning some friends and influencing people.

Comments

[JosephDworak]

Ben - you are dead on with this - even out of office replies that are impersonal drive me crazy -

[Tim Schraeder]

amen.

[Kyle Reed]

There is someone that I work for that is the king of this, but I wont name names.
He replies with one word answers or :) all the time.
How do I know what that even means?

I usually try to pretend like I am talking in person as I write emails.
Maybe this is why google buzz died, because it is more like twitter then actual an email exchange?

[David Cooke]

Great post.

As Dale would also recommend 'Smile' but this is tricky to do on an email and I don't think he meant this :)

Or perhaps he did?

[Jonsampson]

I love this - I so often hear the opposite. Keep it short. Don't waste people's time. Use one sentence. It's interesting to think of it the other way. If you need something quick, pick up the phone. Otherwise, give it a little finesse.

Though I'm still going to send short replies to those coworkers who I see every day and email about 20 times daily!

[Ben Arment]

there's a social order to emailing. One person has the "upper hand" so to speak. But it sure is refreshing when true humility is expressed

[Dewitt]

Great reminder Ben!

[Daniel Decker]

There is truth being spoken here. :)

[Stephanie Smith]

Yes. Communication is important--fill it with grace! See it as an opportunity, not drudge work. A generous email can make someone's day if you're open to it.