10 Tips to Improve Email Communication Skills

Standard email is still the most-used tool for business communication, but email, despite its convenience, often causes more problems than it solves.

Standard email accelerates the exchange of information but not always the right type of information. It does not promote the positive social bonds to get things done and disconnects us from our recipients instead.

Interpreting the many messages we get everyday

Business professionals deal with hundreds of emails each day. Although email offers us an efficient way to send communications to people without the need to coordinate schedules or set up meetings, standard email often encourages misunderstandings.

“According to recent research published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, I’ve only a 50/50 chance of ascertaining the tone of any email message. The study also shows that people think they’ve correctly interpreted the tone of emails they receive 90 percent of the time.” (Source: Stephen Leahy, Wired Magazine)

Suffering from lack of feedback

Email generally suffers from lack of feedback. There is little give and take to the conversation. Blocks of thoughts are created and sent, and blocks of thoughts are returned.

Because there is no measurement of understanding, misconceptions flourish and parties involved in the conversations become suspicious of others’ intentions.

Having these email problems probably sounds familiar

Chances are you have had at least one of these problems happen after sending an email:

• Your message was unclear and confused your recipient
• Your message was either unread or unopened
• Your message unintentionally caused bad feelings between people and/or departments

Standard email hasn't changed much in the past twenty years, but now tools are available that improve the way we exchange information with each other. Ving is one of these tools. Click here for more information.

Our new infographic offers 10 great tips you can use right now to power up your email communication skills and improve your business performance.