Keep it short

When writing professional emails, short, crisp messages will get you the reply you want: a clear answer from the recipient. The busier and more senior the recipient, the shorter your note should be. But writing shorter emails takes time.

Here are a few ways to keep your emails appropriately short:

• Cut the pleasantries at the beginning. Starting an email with the main point isn’t rude; it’s respectful of people’s time.

• Make it easy for recipient to respond: each email should only include one main point or question.

• Put the main idea first so the recipient doesn’t have to read much before learning the main point of the message.

• Edit, edit, edit. Read and re-read your message before sending it. Chances are you can cut extraneous words.

And be sure that your emails are short enough to read easily on a mobile device.