Every week when writing this newsletter, I have to combat the desire to write paragraphs on paragraphs with anecdotes, examples, and extra information.
Even though it’s tempting to write emails the way we talk, the truth is, often less is more. We think we’re adding value by adding information, but more information can be wasted energy for you and more confusing for employees.
Studies show that with the emergence of electronic communication, the human attention span is decreasing. This is not necessarily for the worse, as we’re attempting to maximize our time by deciding quickly if something warrants our attention. Here are a few tips to streamline your email crafting process.
- Be succinct. Make a list of the top things that need to be conveyed by your email, and try to stick to only that information.
- Consider what the headline or core message and review your message to make sure it is clear and stands out.
- Whenever possible, use infographics or images. Graphics grab our attention, and employees are more likely to retain information when presented graphically.
- Record a video instead. Don’t worry about being perfect – a quick candid video is relatable and helps to humanize you to your team.
I’m a work-in-progress here and will continue working on the clarity of my message and being more concise.
“To say more while saying less is the secret of being simple.”- Dejan Stojanovic
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