The thing is you're running a business. I think it's hard sometimes for writers to remember that because you're so personable and kind to us. A good set of reminders thanks.
Well said. We all just need to calm-the-F down. Technology can be our friend, but often it steals our agency in ways that at least for me. I don't figure out until later.
All good advice--thank you for taking the time to pull your thoughts together and share them. I have to confess that I especially love the photo at the end. It's so hard not to speed crossing Nebraska! I'm sorry you were the one who got pulled over. And, also, thank you for taking care of you, as best you can.
Impossible!! Wide open roads. No one around for miles—except that pesky cop. He told me I could go ahead and start speeding once I hit Colorado. At least he had a sense of humor.
Feel like I learned a lot from you in my early years in publication (ie 2017-2019) about how to use email and how not to use it! Thank you for that. And apologies if I have forgotten my lessons in the last couple of years in any way! Not aware if so. xo
Great advice, we should learn this in kindergarten! But I'm wondering if you could hire an VA to least screen the emails and answer some more routine ones? I'm not at that stage but have heard of authors doing that successfully. Just a thought!
Thanks so much for these great tips, Brooke. While I am not planning to correspond with any Publishers, these suggestions work for nearly all my email communications.
I love this! It reminds me of something I wrote in my second book that She Writes Press published. It stands up to the litmus test of written and oral communication:
"People who are adept at healthy self-expression exercise front-end consideration before speaking." —LAURIE BUCHANAN, The Business of Being: Soul Purpose In and Out of the Workplace
Yes, so true. Direct is good. Email serves many purposes. It can be a great tool for communicating like a letter, and for business—get to the point! :)
I’m guilty of the disorganized communication (as you know) and thinking I’ve said what I wanted say and then following up with additional emails without consideration for the reader’s time. Challenge gratefully accepted. Cute pic, sorry about the ticket!
I got so much out of this, Brooke. —Really useful information for being responsible for how we land in writing emails. I must admit that I have been guilty of some of the things you point out.
This brightens the spot light of awareness on the whole thing for me. Tells me to wake up!
The first draft of my book, (The Heart of Sacred Listening, which I'm beginning to serialize on Substack!), is all about opening our eyes to how we are listened. And yet, and yet -- I hadn't made it a practice to think intentionally about, with each email, how our words are going to be received.
When I was working with a storytelling coach for my book, reading each chapter aloud to him, at the beginning of my work with him, many words were in all caps. He'd say every time we use all caps, it's like we are yelling at the reader. He suggested I italicize those words.
This is a super important post for me, one that I will read and re-read, and put into action immediately.
Thanks for this one. I can't even imagine the deluge in your inbox on a daily basis. Intimidating to even consider.
What really sets me off are those chains and streams with several people contributing and trying to find the one that contains the original message. Argh!
I remember the days of excitement upon hearing those words, "You've got mail." More often than not, it would be a dumb joke someone sent to all their friends who also had an AOL mailbox.
Good stuff, Brooke. But unfortunate it needs to be said. I especially appreciate the reminder that texts and FB messages should be kept in the personal realm. In these days of overlapping, boundaryless, communication, we need to protect our personal realms and honor the private lives of the people we do business with. But why Detroit? haha.
Thanks, Brooke. I went back and checked my subject line… I must’ve done okay, and was so honored you responded. I’ve known you to be full of integrity in all our interactions. And regarding speeding… Old days - we would cross state lines into Montana and “pedal to the metal.” Cops took payment in cash if they pulled you over. 😂 as long as we had a 20.00 bill we could speed.
The thing is you're running a business. I think it's hard sometimes for writers to remember that because you're so personable and kind to us. A good set of reminders thanks.
Well said. We all just need to calm-the-F down. Technology can be our friend, but often it steals our agency in ways that at least for me. I don't figure out until later.
All good advice--thank you for taking the time to pull your thoughts together and share them. I have to confess that I especially love the photo at the end. It's so hard not to speed crossing Nebraska! I'm sorry you were the one who got pulled over. And, also, thank you for taking care of you, as best you can.
Impossible!! Wide open roads. No one around for miles—except that pesky cop. He told me I could go ahead and start speeding once I hit Colorado. At least he had a sense of humor.
OMG! That's hysterical! At least it makes for a (kind of) funny story....
I fucking love you.
Email Etiquette - sounds like it should be a book ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Feel like I learned a lot from you in my early years in publication (ie 2017-2019) about how to use email and how not to use it! Thank you for that. And apologies if I have forgotten my lessons in the last couple of years in any way! Not aware if so. xo
Wow, Brooke. Sorry you were on the receiving end of that email. Yikes. I, along with countless others, appreciate and admire you! Sending love. 💕
Just perfectly said - thank you. This feels like a sanity check.
Great advice, we should learn this in kindergarten! But I'm wondering if you could hire an VA to least screen the emails and answer some more routine ones? I'm not at that stage but have heard of authors doing that successfully. Just a thought!
Thanks so much for these great tips, Brooke. While I am not planning to correspond with any Publishers, these suggestions work for nearly all my email communications.
I love this! It reminds me of something I wrote in my second book that She Writes Press published. It stands up to the litmus test of written and oral communication:
"People who are adept at healthy self-expression exercise front-end consideration before speaking." —LAURIE BUCHANAN, The Business of Being: Soul Purpose In and Out of the Workplace
Yes, so true. Direct is good. Email serves many purposes. It can be a great tool for communicating like a letter, and for business—get to the point! :)
I’m guilty of the disorganized communication (as you know) and thinking I’ve said what I wanted say and then following up with additional emails without consideration for the reader’s time. Challenge gratefully accepted. Cute pic, sorry about the ticket!
I got so much out of this, Brooke. —Really useful information for being responsible for how we land in writing emails. I must admit that I have been guilty of some of the things you point out.
This brightens the spot light of awareness on the whole thing for me. Tells me to wake up!
The first draft of my book, (The Heart of Sacred Listening, which I'm beginning to serialize on Substack!), is all about opening our eyes to how we are listened. And yet, and yet -- I hadn't made it a practice to think intentionally about, with each email, how our words are going to be received.
When I was working with a storytelling coach for my book, reading each chapter aloud to him, at the beginning of my work with him, many words were in all caps. He'd say every time we use all caps, it's like we are yelling at the reader. He suggested I italicize those words.
This is a super important post for me, one that I will read and re-read, and put into action immediately.
Thanks for this one. I can't even imagine the deluge in your inbox on a daily basis. Intimidating to even consider.
What really sets me off are those chains and streams with several people contributing and trying to find the one that contains the original message. Argh!
I remember the days of excitement upon hearing those words, "You've got mail." More often than not, it would be a dumb joke someone sent to all their friends who also had an AOL mailbox.
PS Love a road trip!
Lol. Yes, you got mail was fun until the inboxes started to explode!!
Good stuff, Brooke. But unfortunate it needs to be said. I especially appreciate the reminder that texts and FB messages should be kept in the personal realm. In these days of overlapping, boundaryless, communication, we need to protect our personal realms and honor the private lives of the people we do business with. But why Detroit? haha.
We happened to buy a car in Detroit. I don't recommend it, but we did get a good deal!
I hope to always use these guidelines with you, and maybe even the rest of the world!
Thanks, Brooke. I went back and checked my subject line… I must’ve done okay, and was so honored you responded. I’ve known you to be full of integrity in all our interactions. And regarding speeding… Old days - we would cross state lines into Montana and “pedal to the metal.” Cops took payment in cash if they pulled you over. 😂 as long as we had a 20.00 bill we could speed.
Sorry about Oklahoma!
OMG, so funny about the $20! I wish I could have pulled that off. :)