Email. We use it for business and pleasure with reckless abandon. But as this recent Wired article points out, we need to be more responsible with our e-communications—especially when it comes to requesting action or info from the recipient.

Wired reminds us to keep email quick and concise with these four tips:

1. Brevity
"Short emails rule." This is absolutely true. When we get long emails, we automatically start scanning, wonder if we can put it off until later, or forward it on to someone else to deal with. To keep your email brief but still include the important details, Wired recommends attaching supporting information to the email—but keeping it separate from the issue and what you want from the recipient.
Bonus tip: "If you're passing a thread along, trim what isn't needed."

2. Context
If the recipient doesn't know you by name, tell them how you came to come in contact with them. (i.e., "You recently shopped for health insurance quotes on InsureMe.com and we were matched...")

Furthermore, when asking someone a question, Wired says to "anticipate any missing details that could cause an extended back-and-forth" situation. Make your emails count the first time around.

"And for god's sake, have a subject line," says Wired. "One that makes sense." Match the email topic to the subject line. Even if the topic changes as the thread grows.

3. Something to act on
Is your goal to obtain information or action out of your email? Make your requests clear.

"Set your requests apart from the rest of the message by paring them down to one sentence, with white space before and after." You can also highlight your request by using bullets (or asterisks, if you don't have HTML email) to outline steps that need to be taken.

Try using closed-ended questions in email (versus the open-ended ones you use face-to-face with prospects) to keep the exchange from getting lengthy.

4. A deadline
It's happened to all of us—you finally get a response from your recipient and their answer is no longer relevant. If you're working with a time frame, let the recipient know up front. Deadlines can prompt a quick turnaround time, or at least give them the opportunity to "bow out" so you can focus your efforts elsewhere.

Check out the full Wired article here—and be sure to leave your suggestions for effective email via comments!

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