Working remotely and managing virtual teams can be a challenging endeavor, especially when it comes to effective communication. One key component of successful remote work is the ability to write assertive emails that inspire your team to take action. In this blog post, we will discuss two crucial tactics to help you write assertive emails that get results.
Embrace Brevity and Clarity
The fast-paced nature of remote work demands efficient communication. To make sure your emails are read and acted upon, you should aim for brevity and clarity in your messages. Here’s how:
- Keep it short and simple: Avoid long-winded emails that may lead to information overload. Instead, keep your messages concise and to the point.
- Prioritize the main message: State the purpose of your email in the opening paragraph to ensure your recipient understands its importance.
- Easy-to-address emails get faster responses: Research from Carnegie Mellon University shows that straightforward emails are more likely to be answered quickly.
Make Your Calls to Action Stand Out
A well-crafted email should clearly outline the tasks you want your team members to complete. To make sure your calls to action are noticed, follow these tips:
- Avoid burying calls to action: Since people tend to scan emails, make sure your action items stand out and are easy to find.
- Utilize bullet points: Listing each call to action in separate bullet points is an effective way to draw attention to them and ensure they are not overlooked.
- Emphasize action items: Use bolding, italicizing, underlining, or different color fonts to make your calls to action stand out within the email. This will help your recipients easily identify the tasks they need to focus on.
Conclusion
By adopting these two tactics in your email communication, you’ll be able to convey your message assertively and motivate your virtual team members to take action. Remember, the key to successful remote work communication lies in being clear, concise, and direct in your emails, while making sure your calls to action are easily identifiable. Implementing these strategies will not only improve your team’s productivity but also contribute to the overall success of your remote work environment.
If you’d like to learn more, check out “Influencing Virtual Teams”
