The (Almost) Perfect E-Mail: 7 Step Checklist

I was comparing different e-mail techniques with a friend just the other day.

The conversation prompted me to write down my e-mail process and to share it with you.

I (usually) go through seven points before sending any e-mail.

Take these tips for a spin sometime. I think you'll find them helpful in your future e-mail communications.

The (Almost) Perfect E-Mail: 7 Step Checklist 

1) Did I check the spelling of the recipient’s name?
Sounds kind of obvious, but, hey – it’s important. And while I'm at it, I'll double-check the rest of the spelling and grammar in the e-mail.

2) Is the subject line sharp and precise?
Not only does a precise subject title help draw attention to your email, it helps the recipient find your e-mail quickly– without much hassle. 

3) Did I answer the recipient’s question(s)?
Rambling off topic can happen easily!

4) Did I address any possible objections?
I put myself in the recipient’s shoes to reduce e-mail ping-pong.

5) Is there a next step?
It’s good to keep the ball rolling by including a next step (or two).

6) Include a P.S.
I read somewhere (forgot where!) that the P.S. is the second most often read part of a letter. Here are six awesome e-mail marketing powers of the P.S. from HubSpot. 

7) Don’t send the e-mail immediately. Save it in the “Drafts” folder!
This is my favorite technique. Wait a few minutes (or hours) before sending your e-mail. The elapsed time gives you the distance you need to see your response a bit more objectively.

These are my favorite tips for communicating through e-mail.

What about you?

Do you have e-mail tips that help you communicate clearly and effectively?

Feel free to share them in the comments.

P.S. Check out the Email Charter by TED Curator Chris Anderson. It's a pretty cool idea.

Is Your E-Book Sitting Right Under Your Nose? Find Out in 4 Steps

When I published my free e-book, "5 (Ridiculously Simple) Ways to Write Faster, Better, Easier," I used four steps to create it.

The articles in it were previously kicking around here, there and everywhere.

You, too, might have a few articles kicking around that have been published; or maybe they're just sitting in your computer.

Either way, consider resurrecting those articles from the graveyard and package them into an e-book.

You can repurpose your existing articles into an e-book in four simple steps.

My latest article for Content Marketing Institute, "4 Steps to Publish an E-Book: Tap into Your Existing Articles," shows you exactly how to do it.

Check it out, share a comment, tweet it, etc.

Thanks!

3 Benefits of Writing a Free E-book

For the longest time (a few years, actually!), I've had a number of folks tell me I should write an e-book and give it away to subscribers.

And for years, I thought "Someday I'll get it." (Yeah, right.)

Well, that "someday" finally came.

About a month ago I published a free 26-page e-book, "5 (Ridiculously Simple) Ways to Write Faster, Better, Easier." (The e-book is available to anyone who subscribes to this blog.)

When the e-book was finally published, I had no idea what to expect. Would people love it? Hate it? Would they really care about it? I had all the typical questions anyone would have if they were considering writing an e-book.

Once the e-book was available, I discovered many (eye-opening) benefits of having finally written one. What are the benefits?

Head on over to Savvy B2B Marketing where I share the benefits of writing an e-book in an article called, "3 (Eye-Opening) Benefits I Learned Writing a Free E-Book."

If you've ever wondered why you should publish a free e-book for your audience, check out what I learned. The benefits go far beyond the three I mentioned but, hey, three is a start.

I hope my article inspires you to write your own e-book someday.

Why Hire a Professional Proofreader? 5 (Overlooked) Reasons

If you've never hired a professional proofreader before, you're missing out on one of the hidden joys of writing.

Why hidden? Because until you see the results of a professionally proofread document, the reasons for hiring one are easily dismissed (and overlooked).

Imagine being 50% more creative because your "inner editor" is turned off, knowing that a second pair of eyes will be checking your work.

I've discovered many benefits of hiring a professional proofreader. In my latest article for Content Marketing Institute I highlight "5 Reasons Why EVERY Content Marketer Needs a Professional Proofreader."

The article generated lots of interesting comments so be sure to swing by and add your comment to the others!

How to Maximize (Leftover) Interview Content

You interviewed someone.
You pulled the quotes you needed for the project.
You dumped the rest of the interview.
90% of that interview is now sitting on the floor.

Ugh.

Doesn't that just bug the daylights out of you?

Wasting all that material used to drive me nuts. Then I figured out how to maximize the remaining content from an interview. After all, there’s a pretty good chance that the interview leftovers would make for great content somewhere in the marketing mix.

Well, there’s good news

You can easily turn that one interview (and its leftovers) into five different marketing products. To find out how, head on over to Content Marketing Institute.

Check out my latest article, “How to Create 5 Marketing Products from 1 Interview.”

Feel free to dive into the conversation and post your thoughts, comments or ideas.

P.S. If you're new to this site, be sure to pick up your free 25-page e-book just by subscribing for future updates.