Avoid the Murphy’s Law of Email – Improve Engagement

When a potential customer sends an email, will your response automatically start a dialogue?

How you present your response to that prospect will determine whether or not you get an answer, or are flat-out ignored.

When responding, try a formula like this:

There is a salutation before the person’s name, rather than starting abruptly.

Murphy’s Law of Email is, “If an email can be misinterpreted, it will be!”

To avoid this problem, start with a salutation before the name (“Hello,” “Greetings”) followed by a pleasant statement.

Here is a chance to show that you are an expert in your field by expressing your understanding of their needs. Also, you can demonstrate that it’s not all about you–that it’s about him or her. Did you notice how “I,” “me,” or “my” did not show up in this communication so far?

Still, no first-person pronouns. This subtly tells the recipient that you’re more interested in her/him than yourself. Also, here you offered the prospect the illusion of choice. It’s an illusion, because after all, they’re YOUR choices! This offering of options shows respect and gives control to the reader, which is what every customer wants. Finally, it educates the customer: just because he/she puts out a call for a certain kind of product/service, you’re not going to simply jump and send a proposal that fills that bill.

If you want to sell correctly to a customer, find out what her/his specific wants and needs are. Then, you as the expert, can deliver exactly what is needed.

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This information is from the Effective Business Writing class from our Business Writing Curriculum. If you’re looking for ways to improve your communication skills, register for one of our public classes.

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Other Resources to Avoid the Murphy’s Law of Email:

13 Small Business Email Examples and Templates

Professional Letter and Email Writing Guidelines

The 1 Email that Every Salesperson Must Master