This document outlines nine steps for writing effective emails to important recipients, emphasizing clarity and brevity. Key recommendations include organizing information, avoiding jargon, clearly stating requests, and ensuring correct spelling and grammar. The author, Pauline van Goethem, is a communication specialist offering advice for professional content creation.

1. How to write the perfect email to VIPs your boss and the whole company

2. If you have ever stared at the send button terrified to press it

3. Here are nine simple steps to help smarten up those do or die emails

4. 1. Write the email freestyle: get all your thoughts down first

5. Don’t add the email addresses yet; you don’t want to send your ramblings by accident

6. 2. Cut (out) the superfluous: obliterate your word count

7. People have busy lives, get to the poinr; go over every sentence and
every word… if it is not essential scrap it

8. 3. Organise the detail: group items that are related

9. Ask yourself, could this information be presented as a list or a table? Then
present it as a list or a table

10. 4. Check your tone: lighten up on the management speak

11. Research shows that people like to hear from friendly humans

12. 5. Ask for what you want: clearly state your desired outcome

13. ‘Please review and sign off the strategy document by the 21st’

14. 6. Provide all they need: include everything that is referenced

15. If you mention a previous email or a document, send it

16. 7. Don’t forget the subject line: summarise the purpose of the email

17. The subject line could be something like: strategy document sign off

18. Other useful prefixes: For your information, URGENT and No reply needed

19. 8. Check spelling and grammar: send a clean and correct message

20. You don’t need your boss wondering if you are as sloppy preparing the end of year
accounts

21. 9. Send a test email: check that everything works

23. Test until you can press the send button without fear

24. How to write the perfect email to VIPs; now get to it ladies

25. Pauline van Goethem is a communication specialist helping
organisations to turn information into easy to consume
professional content – contact pauline.vangoethem@gmail.com