The Ins and Outs of Business Emails

Are you nervous about writing a business email to a coworker or boss? In the United States, many employers have the mentality "time is money." Follow these tips to ensure success:

• Use a subject heading that is straight to the point. Your reader does not want to decipher what your purpose.

• Start your email with a greeting such as "Good afternoon."

• Type in smaller paragraphs so you do not overwhelm your reader with large bodies of text.

• Put all of the essential information in the first paragraph, and expound upon the information with more details in the following paragraphs.

• If you attach an item, mention the item you attached in the email and briefly explain what it is that you attached.

• Pay attention to the filename of the attached item. You may appear unprofessional or add work onto your co worker/employer without a specific title. 
• If you are submitting a proposal to a boss, how does it look if the file name appears "DA PROPOSAL" or "Document 1099." 
• If you have sent multiple volumes, include the volume number in the filename.

• Avoid typing in colors other than black and use a standard font that is not ornate (detailed). 

• When applying for a job or sending out a resume, make sure that you only include one visible recipient. You do not want it to look like you are sending a mass email.

• Be professional. Avoid forwarding mass emails with long stories or jokes. Keep those emails for personal contacts. You do not want to fill up your employer's inbox with junk.

• Most importantly, be concise and if possible, include a call for action.