Recently, I’ve had lots of people asking me the best way to end emails. So, here we go…
- The aim of emails is that our readers DO what we want
- And if we want them to DO something, we have to ask them to DO it!
- In other words, our emails need to end with a Call To Action
- Here’s the one I found works best – it contains three critical things
Please can you [1 – insert their action] by [2 – insert their deadline].
And then I will [3 – insert the action I’ll do, as soon as they’ve done theirs].
For example:
“Please can you confirm the date of our meeting by the end of today. And then I will schedule it in my diary, and do my prep for you.”
This ending works well – for four reasons:
- I’ve asked them to DO something. So they’re more likely to DO it
- The deadline means they’re more likely to DO it on time
- “And then I will” shows the benefits of doing what I’ve asked. After all, if they confirm the meeting time, I’ll put it in my diary and do my prep. And conversely…
- … they also know that, if they don’t do their action, I won’t do mine. So, if they don’t confirm the date, it isn’t in my diary, I haven’t done my prep… and it’s all their fault!
A MUCH better ending than the usual “Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call.”
This will never cause them to DO anything – because we haven’t asked them to DO anything!
I know this all sounds obvious.
But do you do it?
Always?
Let’s find out…
Action Point
- Go to your sent items, and review how you ended each of your last five emails. Did the reader know exactly what you wanted them to DO?
- If your Call To Action is missing any of the three elements, include them in your next email!