Business Builder: A Guide to Good Business Emails

Different cultures have different expectations of their business communication. Email etiquette (good behaviour) can vary significantly from country to country. Today I will give you a quick guide to writing good business emails in the English-speaking world. This list is especially helpful for British based companies.

·         Be concise – always write what people need to know and nothing more. Keep long information in attachments, or link to it in the email.

·         Use bullet points – If you have a lot to say, or a process to describe, use bullet points to help your reader find information quickly.

·         Review recipients – do not reply to all if the email is only necessary for one person. Avoid flooding in boxes.

·         No emojis – some businesses have friendlier cultures and are accepting of smiley faces, but to stay safe, avoid using these until you know the business culture well enough to decide.

·         Turn off capslock – never email in all capital letters. This reads like shouting to an English email reader.

·         Proof read – read your email before you send it. This can really help you avoid some difficult conversations because of a rude word, or any other accidental mistake.

·         Warm tone – it is best to write emails in a ‘friendly’ tone to English businesses. Make sure you are not writing like you would to a friend, but just in a warm and approachable way.

·         Use “thank you” and “appreciate” – be polite. Thank people for their work, and say when you appreciate things people have done. This is expected in England and will help you make great working relationships with others.

TIP: It is common in long email chains for people to stop saying “hello” and stop signing off their emails. Do not be offended! You can also do this when others have.

What have I missed from this list that you would include?