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The John Scott Dailey Florida Institute of Government at the University of Central Florida Writing High-Impact Email Facilitated by Chris Friend

Writing & Managing Email

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Provides suggestions and prompts discussion about addressing, distributing, and maintaining email. Relies on theories from Merlin Mann's Inbox Zero.

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Page 1: Writing & Managing Email

The John Scott Dailey Florida Institute of Government at the University of Central Florida

Writing High-Impact EmailFacilitated by Chris Friend

Page 2: Writing & Managing Email

Introductions

Image courtesy Microsoft, public domain.

▶ Name▶ Dept &

Job Title▶ Yrs of Service▶ Avg Emails per Day▶ Bonus: How many unreads right now?

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Today’s Goals▶ Behaviors▶ Results▶ Pitfalls▶ Actions

Image courtesy Microsoft, public domain.

Page 4: Writing & Managing Email

Today’s Agenda

Image courtesy .reid. on Flickr, CC BY 2.0

▶ Addressing▶ Composing▶ Managing

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Today’s Rule▶ Be nice.

Image courtesy Microsoft, public domain.

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Addressing Email

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Controlling Distribution

TO/CC/BCCUse Caution with BCC

Read Before Reply

Distribution ListsGood: Time Saver

Bad: Easy to Abuse

Ugly: Keep Updated

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Controlling Distribution

Reply vs. Reply AllUse with Care

ForwardBe Aware

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Attachments

RememberingWhen you type “attach”

As you add addresses

Size1 / 5 / 10

Multiplicity

Alternatives

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Attachments

File TypesPDF — Everyone

DOC — Most

PPT — Many

PPS — Some

EXE — None

Viruses

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The Subject Line

Relevant & Helpful

Include Key Words

Topic + Comment or Action

Change on Reply?

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Composing Email

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Email Timing

It’s quick.

Respond in 24–48 hours.

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Message Purpose

One Message per Topic

Make Next Action Clear

K.I.S.S.Clarity

Accuracy

Understanding + Action

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Message Organization

Prefer Lists to Narratives

Use Shorter Paragraphs

Maintain Professionalism

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Message Content

Be direct.

Be polite.Request vs. Demand

Be professional.Emoticons

Flaming & SHOUTING!!!

Spelign

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Message Signature

Saves Time

IncludesDepartment

Position

Phone Number

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Message Privacy

Not private, confidential, secure, or guaranteed

Anyone can forward

Sunshine laws

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Affirmative Response

Thank the sender.

Say “yes” quickly.

Provide next step.

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Negative Response

Start neutrally

Include your reasons

Actually say “no” or “cannot”

Be supportive, not apologetic

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Writing Complaints

Give background

List previous efforts

Explain importance to reader

Ask for help & offer a suggestion or resolution

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When Not to Email

Heated Discussion

Misunderstanding

Sensitive Info

Excess Emotion

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Managing Email

Merlin Mann • Inbox Zero

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The Purpose of Email

StorageExchange

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The Purpose of Email

StorageExchange

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The Purpose of Email

StorageExchange

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You know better.

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Bad Email Habits

Auto-Checking

Sorting into Folders

Keeping Messages “Unread”

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What You Can Do With Email

Delete it.

Delegate it.

Respond to it.

Do what it says.

Defer its action.

with value.

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Successful Email

ManagementDo email less.

Cheat.

No fiddling.

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Thank you.Writing High-Impact EmailFacilitated by Chris Friend