How to Finesse Email Reminders

In an Email Intelligence class the other day, attendees brought up the question of reminders:

If something is due at 5 p.m., is it okay to email someone at 4 p.m. with a reminder?

What do you think? If you were working toward a 5 p.m. deadline, would you appreciate a 4 p.m. email reminder?

And if you were the person expecting the work, could you stop yourself from worrying about it before 5 p.m.?

A class participant proposed the ideal solution:

If you need something by 5 p.m., give a 4 p.m. deadline. That way, if you have not received it by 4, you can comfortably nudge the other person.

For more valuable ideas about email etiquette and efficiency, get my "110 Tips for Sending Email That Gets Read--and Gets Results," available as a printed booklet and PDF.

What is your opinion on reminders? Please share it.

Lynn
Syntax Training

Comments

[Alfredo]

Emailing reminders to an individual can communicate a lack of trust and can seem like micromanaging.

Those problems are drastically reduced, however, if the reminder is sent to a group. If I am part of a group that receives a reminder, then I do not feel singled out as someone who could not get the job done if he did not get a reminder.

[Lynn]

Alfredo, thanks for your view.

I tried to visit your blog today, but the link did not work. I will try again soon.

Lynn

[Neil W UK]

Treat others as you would wish to be treated yourself. I know I certainly wouldn't appreciate receiving an email like that!

I agree that group e-mails take the sting out a little - but these are not always appropriate to the situation.

I find it's better to show some trust in the people you're working with, at least until they've proved themselves undeserving of it!

[Lynn]

Neil, your approach is sound. Trust is always a wise idea.

Thanks for commenting.