Special offer

6 Common EMail Mistakes

By
Title Insurance ePro, MBA

Here are some common email mistakes people make --

1)  The Subject Line

Make sure the subject line is not vague and tells the story of the email -- don't mislead and make sure you don't use words like free that will direct that email into a spam or junk folder.

2)  No Signature line

Too many time I get emails that don't include a signature -- don't include contact information -- how am I going to call them or email them.  One helpful hint is to place your email address with the preface of mailto:

mailto:Scott@REToolBox.com allows users to immediately click on your email address and it will launch their email system and address the email. 

3)  Unclear messages

I get e-mails all the time that have no clear message as to what they're really about. When you send out an e-mail, make sure you use complete sentences, correct grammar and correct spelling. Also, take the time to really get your message across. If you don't make what you want to say clear enough, your recipients will be left dazed and confused. Plus, they probably won't bother replying to you, because they won't know what to say in return!  Make it short and too the point.

For those that send text messages -- many of the smart phones don't see the message your responding to so be careful to include what your saying yes to.

4)  Don' Shout

Sending messages with all capital letters can be misinterpret ted as shouting.  CAREFUL how use use the capitalization -- emphasis yes, shouting no.

5)  The Wrong Tone

Careful not to say or respond to emails in anger as the tone will come across -- type up your response, save it and come back to it and carefully review it before you send it -- remember, emails get copied and sent everywhere and your personal message might easily become a public message.

6)  Too many or too large of attachments

Don't overload your email message with too many attachments.  Some have smaller email box sizes and it can tie up the email as they open or download the attachments.  Post photos on your website so they can click on rather than have to download.

Finally, if your out of the office = set up an auto response to incoming emails or send a response that tells them how they can contact you in the event of an emergency.  Better that than no response at all when you go on vacation.

Respond to your emails quickly and provide the best service to your clients possible. 

Make it a profitable day!

Posted by

Make it a profitable day!

Scott Hoen

SHoen@FirstAM.com

Direct:  (714) 250-5014

Cell:  (714) 270-9607

"The Views expressed herein reflect only the individual's personal views and are not the views of the author's employer."

Sergio Rebollo Jr.
Real Estate TeamMates - Miami, FL

Scott,

You are SO right!!!  Everyone knows that all caps is yelling and still I see so many e-mails in all caps being sent.

E-mail is a great way to communicate but it's so easy to be taken the wrong way.  In a verbal exchange there's body language as well as tone of the conversation which communicate the speakers state of mind and/or emotions.

E-mails lack these two components.  Many a times one shoots off a response that may escalate a discussion into a disagreement or an arguement.  As you suggest....going back and re-reading your e-mail before sending is key!!!

Sep 04, 2008 08:42 PM
Carol Knott
RE/MAX The Woodlands & Spring - The Woodlands, TX

Thank you. I asked a lender to never send me another email about his services this week because he SHOUTED at me the whole email.

Sep 04, 2008 10:07 PM
Ellie McIntire
Ellicott City Clarksville Howard County Maryland Real Estate - Ellicott City, MD
Luxury service in Central Maryland

Good post Scott. I get so many e-mails on a daily basis that I do scan down to see what is the most important by the subject line.

Sep 04, 2008 10:08 PM
Tom Davis
Harrington ERA,DE Homes For Sale, $$ Save $$ Buy Today ! - Dover, DE
FREE Delaware Homes Search!, $$ Save $$ - Find Homes! Delaware Realtor

Carol, My goodness ...I assume he had all caps on when writing...you poor thng!

Also I agree that it is good to have a signature on all emails!

Thanks,

Tom Davis

World Class Delaware Realtor

Sep 04, 2008 11:05 PM
Bubba Fife
Complete Property Maintenance - Nashville, TN

Scott, good points. I hate it when I get poor EM messages or someone shouts at me...

Sep 04, 2008 11:47 PM
Jon Wnoroski
America's 1st Choice RH Realty Co., Inc. - Green, OH
Summit County Realtor

Scott, points well taken.  Email communication represents you as a professional.  Every communication should carry a professional tone.

Sep 04, 2008 11:58 PM
Manolis "Manny" Sfinarolakis
Keller Williams Realty - West Hartford, CT

excellent tips, especially about the tone one.

I made the mistake of letting my tone shine through in a couple of emails, and I paid the price.

Thank you!

Kind Regards,

Manolis

Sep 05, 2008 12:19 AM
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Scott, very good points for writing an effective email. I agree with the Subject line advice. If the Subject line doesn't make sense it gets deleted. Thanks.

Sep 05, 2008 12:45 AM
Chuck Willman
Chuck Willman - Alpine, UT
NewHouseUtah.com

Or... include a subject line. I'm surprised how often I receive a message with no subject line at all.

Sep 05, 2008 02:03 AM
Shannon Aldrich
Keller Williams Coastal Realty - Rye, NH
NH & Maine Real Estate Seacoast

Scott - That's a Gold Star post for you!

Sep 05, 2008 02:41 AM
Ann Allen Hoover
RE/MAX Advantage South - Hoover, AL
CDPE SRES ASP e-PRO Realtor - Homes for Sale - AL

Hello Scott!  Thanks for passing this along.....very good information.

Have a great day!

Ann Allen Birmingham Realtor

Sep 05, 2008 03:15 AM
Scott Hoen
Carson City, NV
Carson City Clerk Recorder / Public Administrator

Shannon -- thanks for the star.

I would also add one more important item -- agents that are serious about their business should have their own website and domain name -- For those that have your own domain -- create an email address with your own domain!  Get away from the Internet providers email addresses - the dsl or cable companies and create the email address with your own domain.

I would much rather deal with a professional agent that has an email address of Scott@ABCHomes.com vs. Scott@hotmail.com.  It just looks better and perception is everything.

Make it a profitable day.

Sep 05, 2008 03:33 AM
Sharon Alters
Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty - 904-673-2308 - Fleming Island, FL
Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

I know I need to get away from my not domain-name email. You are so right about that. And about the subject lines, etc.

 I recently read there are 300 words you shouldn't use in the subject because you will be blocked much of the time, do you know about that, Scott?

Sep 05, 2008 02:51 PM