Email tip: Clean up forwarded e-mails.

When forwarding multiple appended e-mails, either highlight the key points to which you are referring, or delete the extraneous information. This is a very respectful action that will save the recipient extra time.

We have all groaned upon seeing lengthy forwarded e-mails, with simply “see below” as the message.

By noting, succinctly, the main point of the forwarded item – again, in the first two sentences of the e-mail — you will focus your reader’s attention and honor their precious time.

Here is a well forwarded email:

Hi Harry,

Below is Sandy’s recommendation for our new procedure.  I have highlighted in yellow the 3 main points.

Gilbert

Excerpted from Inbox Detox, Acanthus Publishing, 2009

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