Email etiquette is important. If you’ve ever sent a typo to your boss or CEO then you will know exactly what I mean.
In most offices email is now the primary form of communication, especially now that we’re all working from home. It’s how you talk to your team, reach out to new contacts and grow your network. You really can’t afford to mess it up.
So, before you press send make sure you’re not using any of these words.
1. ”Respectfully”
”Respectfully” just sounds negative. Most people automatically associate it with declining an invite. It adds a sombre tone to your email without adding to the content. Ditch it.
2. ”Noted/Okay”
Oh, very frosty. Do not send one word email replies. You’re just going to come across as childish, even if that wasn’t your intention.
3. ”Obviously”
The word ”obviously” can sound very condescending. It usually means that the reader has missed the point. Don’t be snooty.
4. ”Literally”
”Literally” is probably the most over-used phrase in the English language. Don’t put it in your emails unless you actually mean it. You can’t ”literally be snowed under with work.” Unless you’re working in the Alps of course.
5. ”I hope this finds you well”
Why wouldn’t I be well? What have you heard? Yes, I had a cold last week but I have fully recovered. You don’t need to talk about someone’s health in a work email. You just don’t.
6. ”Fine”
Uh oh someone must have done something wrong. ”Fine” can sound very harsh in an email and may cause the reader to think they have done something to upset you.
7. ”Just”
When used as filler word ”just” completely undermines your writing especially when it is used at the beginning of a sentence for example, ”Just writing you an email about our meeting”. It almost sounds like you’re apologising. Just get to the point.
8. ”As you know”
Again, this is another completely unnecessary sentence. If it’s something that person already knows then you do not need to tell them again.
