Email Archives

Does “Ladies” Belong in a Salutation?

Rob wrote: I thought you might be a helpful sounding board from something I’m experiencing at work. Recently, one of our female executive leaders has been using the word Ladies as a salutation in her emails that include men in the To and/or the Cc… continue reading

How to Write the Interview Thank-You Note

My daughter’s friends in college are interviewing for internships and permanent positions. Days after their interviews some of them ask, “Should I have sent a thank-you?” To them I say, Yes! And this blog post will help them–and you–write it. The purpose of the all-important… continue reading

An Unimpressive Message From My Dentist

I want the best in dentistry–not business writing–from my dentist. But I'm still disappointed when I receive a pointless, error-filled email like the one below. In it, I have changed the name of the dental practice to "Your Favorite Dentist." Otherwise, it's identical to the email… continue reading

How Do You Feel About Sloppy Supplier Messages?

A reader named Deborah shared a short email she recently received: Dear Sirs,pls let me have by return the supp docs about yr a.m. invoice because we cannot find our shpm.Thks and rgds How would you feel if you received this message? Would you care… continue reading

Proofreading Checklist to Avoid “Oops!” Messages

I just received an “Oops!” email from our beloved, prestigious public television station. When I read the subject line, “Oops! Correction for Rick Steves Preview Screening and Q+A!” I instantly knew what the oops must be: a date error. Indeed, the email opened “Apologies, there… continue reading

Do You Give Readers the “Why” They Need?

The other night I was traveling from Boston to my home, Seattle. When I arrived at my connection city, Denver, at 7:15 p.m. I received this text message: Your Flight ___ on August 6 from DEN now departs at 11:55 p.m. We’re sorry for the… continue reading

T-F Test on Formatting Business Letters and Emails

The standards of writing change. What was once correct in business messages now comes across as old-fashioned–or does it? Take this true-false test to check your knowledge of basic formatting standards for business letters and emails. Note: The questions and answers apply to business writing… continue reading

Be Nice and Make Less Work for Your Reader

The other day at my health club I asked an employee what time the bank parking lot was available for club members' use. I knew I could use the bank lot when the bank closed, but I wasn't sure what time that was. The employee… continue reading

What’s Wrong With This Complimentary Close?

Today I received an unsolicited email with this as the close: Can you identify what’s wrong with it? Think about what you would change before scrolling down to my ideas. — I’d change several things. But what’s definitely wrong is the capitalization. Only the first word… continue reading

Ignore or Acknowledge a Brief Apology?

This interesting question arrived in my email this morning: I am a recent college graduate who regularly communicates with managers over email. At least once a week I receive an email with the opener “I apologize for the delay in replying,” followed by an explanation… continue reading