Make Sure E-mails Work for You

When writing an e-mail, add a keyword to the subject line. The keyword is the first word of the subject line, followed by a colon or dash and then the rest of the subject line. The keyword sets up the e-mail and tells the recipient what is expected of him or her. For example:

Review by 1-15-11--Draft of website content
Approve--Final version of PPT
Decision--Do you want to go with Design A or Design B for the cover?

Using a keyword helps recipients prioritize e-mails and more often results in a faster reply from them.

Now that your subject line communicates, what can you do with the rest of the e-mail to ensure a quick reply? More on that later.


Writing Effective E-Mail: Improving Your Electronic Communication (Crisp Fifty-Minute Series)