Email [work]
Avoid using all caps or excessive punctuation (like "!!!"), which can look like spam. Examples by Goal Goal Example Subject Line Direct & Clear "Meeting update: Project Alpha" Urgent "Final hours: 20% off ends at midnight" Personalized "Quick question for you, [Name]" Curiosity-driven "You won't believe what's inside..."
However, email has also had some negative consequences, such as:
For all its virtues, has a sinister underbelly. It is the primary vector for cyber attacks. Over 90% of successful cyber breaches begin with a phishing email . Avoid using all caps or excessive punctuation (like "
: Always check for typos and verify that you have attached any mentioned files before hitting send. Email Marketing Campaign Guide
In 2008, a blogger received a simple email from a reader asking to meet for lunch in Portland. That reader turned out to be Chris Guillebeau , who later founded the World Domination Summit Over 90% of successful cyber breaches begin with
: Using a standard personal signature instead of a designed logo makes an email look like a direct message rather than a mass marketing blast.
: Keep your body copy brief. Aim for approximately five sentences to respect the reader's time and increase the likelihood of a quick response. Call to Action (CTA) That reader turned out to be Chris Guillebeau
: Use a concise, informative line that tells the recipient exactly what the email is about. For urgent tasks, include descriptors like [APPROVAL NEEDED]
: Use a proper salutation (e.g., "Dear [Name]" or "Hi [Name]") based on your relationship with the recipient. The 5-Sentence Rule
[1960s: Mainframe Messaging] ──> [1971: ARPANET & '@'] ──> [1980s: SMTP Protocols] ──> [1990s: Webmail & Access]
(if a thread isn't resolved in three emails, pick up the phone), or using the "+1 Gmail Trick" to organize newsletters. Marketing Strategy: How to build an email list, the importance of the 60/40 text-to-image ratio , or writing subject lines that actually get opened. Repurposing Content: Detailed guides on turning newsletters into evergreen blog posts or vice versa. 2. Follow a Structured Writing Process