How to Get Your Email Answered
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Mon, October 05, 2009
- Viewed 55
- (1) comments so far
If you're like me, you're drowning in email. In fact, most people that I talk with about the need to be a part of some type of social networking cite that they just can't because they're already behind in their email. How in the world could they add anything to their plate?
I can sympathize. I get a ton of email...
Up to a hundred emails a day (sometimes more) for my job with Leadership Network. These all need to be processed with-in hours, or else I get way behind.
Just like you, I get a good amount of personal email... friends that I want to keep in touch with (although Facebook and Twitter have actually helped cut down on some of this type of email)
And, I get a huge amount of email from right here at the MMI website from many of you, responding to an article, requesting some type of advice (just a note that what children's program to use, or where to buy the best pews are outside my area of expertise), or requesting a meeting/phone call.
I can honestly say that I enjoy each and every bit of interaction, especially from the blog. But it can be overwhelming at times; and there are times that I just have to do a control/shift/delete and start all over, just to keep my sanity.
Chris Brogan writes about his struggle with email:
I’m getting over 600 emails a day on average now. I did some really rough analysis and found that over 50% were people asking me for some amount of my time for their needs, 25% were “really nice people,” 20% were business opportunities, and 5% were people who really matter to me personally. A quick bit of math: if I answered 1 email a minute, 600 emails would take me 10 hours to answer.
Thankfully, I'm not quite as bombarded as Chris is. (I really do need to do a study like that though... I'd love to know exactly how many emails I receive; and what they are all for; and how much of my day is spent replying to email).
Anyway... I digress. Chris offers some insight as to how to get your email answered by him. As I read, I thought, 'yeah... this would work for me as well'. Here is some of the things he wrote down:
- Brevity. I have no time for huge rambling emails. Lead with what you need from me. Fill me in on the backstory (if you feel you must), and then end again with what you need from me. (Most imporant part: lead with what you need from me). //Absolutely... I'm much more likely to respond (quickly) to a short, brief email)
- Connectivity. If you talk with me on other platforms (like comment on my blog or talk with me on Twitter or Facebook), then I’m much more likely to know who you are. // Again, yes. If I at least recognize your name from somewhere else, it helps me take action.
- Skip the flattery. PR types: starting with “I love your blog” and then pitching me something I could care less about is a bit of a mismatch. You clearly don’t understand my blog if you’re pitching me stories that don’t relate to what I’m doing.// True. Everyone loves flattery; but most of us can see right through it.
- Get right to it. Most emails have about 200 words of throat-clearing. Feel free to just be brief and to the point. //Amen. I like my emails just like I like my sermons. Cut out the 'throat-clearing'.
- Give the right lead time. Asking me for something today is probably not going to happen. Asking me for something in three months is going to be forgotten. Think more in terms of two weeks for a typical response, or two or three months for something involving travel. Make sense? //Yep. If you want it next week, ask today!
- Equip a trust agent. It’s easier to get some kind of response by having someone who knows your target person introduce you. // Absolutely. An introduction is always better than a cold call email.
You can read more of Chris' tips here...
These are some great tips. I'm sure your email in-box fills up as quickly as mine does. How do you manage? I'd love to hear your tips.
Todd
PS -- about how many emails do you receive in your in-box a day? And... truthfully... how many emails are in your in-box right now?
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Jerry D. Hill on Mon, October 05, 2009
I get thousands of emails daily. I have spoken to some 300 - 400 different groups of people over the last few years and I am on many of their email lists. Some think I can help. I love these people, get an opportunity to practice my trade. Some people hate me, I love these also. Lets me know I am on track and speaking out on issues that affect people. Most are just thoughts or trivia, I read fast- save the rest for later. Its called archive. Store by topic-title-source, use material later when it is needed.
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