9 things that everyone writes wrong in a business email
Did you not pay attention during your Dutch lessons, back in high school? Tsk tsk. Because that's where your basic knowledge in your language use lies. And that just happens to be handy when you, as an adult, ever have to start emailing. Spoiler: you have to do that in every job.
There are mistakes that everyone makes when writing a business email. A shame, because it makes you come across as much less strong and professional.
1. Wrong name
This really can't happen. Always check carefully who you are emailing and how you spell the (special) name of that person exactly. Quite important, let's say. Because if you already have someone's name wrong, you can hardly do anything right afterwards.
2. Keep it formal
Speak nicely if you want to keep it businesslike. Some closings, like “Gr.” or “Bye!”, can come across as informal or careless. Preferably use closings like “Kind regards” or “Sincerely,” depending on the situation. Keep the tone slightly more professional than the other way around.
3. Don't use emojis
No, never. Save that for the app to your friends.
4. And pay attention to your spelling
Spelling and grammar mistakes are very distracting and can undermine your credibility. Use a spell checker or read your email again to avoid such mistakes. Don't put d's and t's where they aren't actually needed.
5. And also no weird capital letters or exclamation marks
Capital letters and exclamation marks can come across as aggressive. Don't write entire sentences in capital letters and use at most one exclamation mark. It is often sufficient to make your point clear without this kind of emphasis. And no, not every word just starts with a capital letter even if you think so.
6. Your subject
Don't put in just one vague word, that's too unclear. A vague subject line like “Question” or “Hello” can cause your email to receive less priority. Use a specific subject line that clearly indicates what the email is about, such as “Appointment proposal for project X” or “Feedback needed on report Y.”.
7. Don't forget your attachments
Careless. Many people mention in the text that there is an attachment but forget to actually add it. This can come across as messy and cost time for both parties. Always check if attachments have been added before you hit ‘send.’.
8. Also, don't use overly difficult words
Although jargon is sometimes necessary, an abundance of jargon can confuse the reader or obscure the message. Keep it simple and explain terms when you're not sure if the recipient is familiar with them.
9. But the mistakes we all make...
Emailing the wrong person that you actually shouldn't have for your question. Incorrectly putting the date in your attachment. A subject that is completely missing. Or a closing that is completely missing. Think about your introduction, body, and conclusion. A shame, a shame, a shame. Pay attention to your emails because you want to succeed in this world, right? Business communication tools are just part of it.
Focus, concentration, and go for it. You will never make these 9 mistakes again. Bye!
Image: Emily in Paris, Netflix
