The E-mail Companion

If Strunk and White were writing their “little book” today, this is the advice they would offer!

Hundreds of practical tips help you make smart e-mail decisions every day. This compact (10 by 2½ inches) 38-page user’s guide is a great desktop reference or reminder. Color-coded tabs make it easy to find the section you need.

• Concerned about sounding angry? Get some suggestions in Controlling Tone.
• Having trouble getting people to do what you want? Try the techniques in Encouraging Action.
• Need some guidance on coping with e-mail overload? Check Managing Your E-mail.
• Wondering how to get people to pay attention to your messages? Find several ways in Standing Out in the Crowd.
• Not sure whether you need affect or effect? Go to Fixing Common Mistakes.

Here’s a “sneak preview” from one chapter:

Answer WIIFM First. (page 9)

When you open an e-mail, what’s the first thing on your mind? Probably, you’re thinking:

• What does this have to do with me?
• What do you want me to do?
• What did you do for me?

Your readers are just like you! They’re always thinking, “What’s in it for me?” (WIIFM). Since that’s the case, always start with what’s most important for your reader.

Your most valuable real estate on the screen is your first paragraph. That may be the only one your reader takes time to read thoroughly.

Newspapers give you the most important news up front—on the first page and in the first paragraph. Think of your e-mail as a sports article with the score first before the play-by-play description.

ISBN 978-0-9643824-5-9; 38 tabbed, laminated pages; $24.95

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