Go read the email charter from Chris Anderson of TED.
I’m totally in support of this. People are crazy when they come to email. It’s understandable, of course, though it’s no longer new, people tend to ascribe rules to it based on whatever communication metaphor they’re used to. So, some people use it like the phone. Some people use it like Post-It notes, some people use it like text messages, and some people use it like good ol’ letter-writing.
All ten of the tenants are vitally important to improving our e-lives, but here are my two favorites.
2. Short or Slow is not Rude
Let’s mutually agree to cut each other some slack. Given the email load we’re all facing, it’s OK if replies take a while coming and if they don’t give detailed responses to all your questions. No one wants to come over as brusque, so please don’t take it personally. We just want our lives back!
I’m sick of getting emails after a day or two saying, “Hello? Are you gonna respond to me?” Yes, I am, when I’m ready. 1. I’m trying to do good work, and that might require more time than you realize. 2.It doesn’t seem unreasonable to expect that sometimes people just don’t get to do email for a few days. Thank god.
8. Give these Gifts: EOM NNTR
If your email message can be expressed in half a dozen words, just put it in the subject line, followed by EOM (= End of Message). This saves the recipient having to actually open the message. Ending a note with “No need to respond” or NNTR, is a wonderful act of generosity. Many acronyms confuse as much as help, but these two are golden and deserve wide adoption.
These are new to me, too, but I love them. They could save a heck of a lot of time, and I’m in favor of that.