If I were to ask you what are the things about your incoming email that are most likely to drive you right over the edge some day, what would you say?

Here are the most common, perhaps not-so-surprising answers most often given at my email workshops across the country:

1.  Emails sent “reply all,” or to an entire emailing list, rather than just to those few who really have a need for the information

2.  Not clear why the reader is getting this email, or what the writer wants the reader to do about it

3.  Problem information:  too much, too little, or wrong

4.  Poor, or non-existent subject lines

5.  Message is too long to be sent as the body of the email, and should be an attachment, OR

6.  Writer rambles on and on, hoping the reader will figure out what it is he or she is trying to say

7.  “Tone” lacks the human touch; is inappropriately used to gripe, grandstand, or complain.  Sarcasm or negativity, frequently intended to be funny, may be misunderstood and create problems that may not be so funny

8.  Careless spelling, grammar, sentence structure

Gail Tycer is a strategic business communication authority: professional speaker; writer, author, editor; coach, consultant, facilitator, and strategist. More free business writing tips from Gail Tycer are available here, and information about Gail’s Business Writing workshops is available here.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be discussing these, and other common email irritants, and how to overcome them!

© 2013 Gail Tycer • www.GailTycer.com