Not-so-shocking poll: We're all tired of emails - Try these tips
No, no, no — not this email, of course. I’m talking about the rambling ones you get from coworkers, clients, your boss, your neighbor, your cranky uncle.
The folks at messaging app Slack surveyed 8,000 small biz workers to pick their brains. Turns out, our old ways of sending emails are chock full of painful time wasters no one likes sending or reading.
Clearly, Slack has a vested interest in people using … well, Slack. But these numbers reveal a lot. Let’s crack our knuckles, check some stats and get rid of yawn-worthy emails.
Too long, won’t read
Eight sentences or more and 57% of people skim or just ignore parts. Ahem, yeah, I do that. Instead, try this:
- Put all the most important info in the first line.
- Write in bullet points to save time. (See, it works!)
- If you need to write more than a few sentences, move to a phone call, text or chat instead.
Wait, you didn’t answer me!
Over 60% say it’s common they didn’t get an answer to a question they included in an email. About half say they get asked questions they already answered or are called by the wrong name. Ouch.
- Pull names directly from the email contact, or save space and don’t use a name. It’s 2023, they know who they are.
- Maintain an open chat with those you work with often for quick questions and answers. So much faster than email for quick follow-ups.
The problem is … I didn’t read it
This surprised me: 45% say they’ve missed a meeting or deadline buried in an email. That’s embarrassing. Here’s how to fix it:
- Rely on your email app. Most automatically highlight and prompt you to save important information.
- Setting up a meeting? Send an invite through your email’s scheduling system.
- Avoid “reply all” whenever possible. No one likes it.
Safe ways to get free stuff in your neighborhood
If you want to save money while connecting to your community, you have to join a buy nothing group. It’s exactly what it says on the tin: a group of neighbors with their own gift economy. You can join a Facebook group or even a community on NextDoor or other apps. Tap or click here to find out how Nextdoor and other apps help sell your old, used or battered tech.
5 ways to create your own emoji
“The Emoji Movie” was popular because it reminded us how much emojis are part of our lives. We once could only text with words, but now we can convey entire sentences, thoughts and feelings with a string of emojis. Tap or click here to find out what the 25 most popular emojis mean.
Tech tip: How to send GIFs without downloading any extra apps
Messaging has come a long way since the first text was sent. You no longer need to be witty or expressive with just your words. Your phone has built-in features to help you show your meaning and mood. Tap or click here for ways to create your own emoji.
Save some time in your workday with this new Slack trick
With many making the move to remote work, applications like Zoom and Slack are necessary to optimize communication. Especially across time zones. Tap or click here for 11 Zoom tricks you’ll wish you knew sooner.
As an avid Slack user, you know how beneficial it can be for work. Slack coworkers a message and get an instantaneous answer.
That email you got about resetting your password is real - Do it ASAP
With so many scam emails going around, you would be forgiven for dismissing real communication about a security breach. Cybercriminals will often piggyback off known breaches, looking to trick victims into handing over sensitive information like account passwords and banking information.
10 digital life hacks you'll use time and again
Not all life hacks are created equal. Some you may only use one time to help you fix a setting on your phone or computer.
But then there are ones that you will be using time and time again.
Supercharge your video meetings with 10 helpful Zoom plug-ins
Zoom calls are the norm now, with many depending on the service as they work from home. What you may not know is that Zoom’s App Marketplace has hundreds of free apps you can download to customize your Zoom experience.
Coronavirus: Tech to keep your business going and your kids learning from home
The coronavirus is making us consider different scenarios. What if I need to work from home? What’s the best way to make sure our products and services still reach our customers? How can I stop traveling to visit clients? What will the kids do to keep up their grades should a breakout happen at their school?