We all know emails are now one of the primary ways to communicate. Over the past couple of years, we have seen a gradual increase in the electronic mail over phone calls or actual meetings. The real estate industry is no different, it has slowly evolved and now has become truly digital. I receive tons of emails every year and I saw some stark difference between emails from different people. Some are extremely professional and some are super casual but what is the best practice? Here are some quick tips on how to improve your email etiquette.
1. Greet
It’s surprising how many people actually forget to add a cursory greeting at the beginning and end. It’s important to start a conversation with pleasantries- a hi, hello and thank you will go a long way. Remember, it’s not just a real estate deal, it’s a relationship.
2. Know your CC and BCC
Always take time before replying to an email. Understand what CC and BCC mean and use these features if necessary. If you are sending a mass email, make sure to use the BCC option in your email. Especially when you are sending you brokerages newsletter or flyers.
3. Avoid CAPS and Exclamation points
Do not shout or be over the top in your emails. You will end up looking unprofessional, childish and frankly, annoying.
4. Be on time
Do not ignore emails. I know it’s difficult to respond to every email right away in between all the showings, open houses, closing, but a respectable amount of time would be 24-48 hours. Make sure you respond within this time frame even if it’s to ask for extra time. It’s always great to respond and ask for time than to provide no response.
5. Avoid one-word answers
“Ok” or “fine” or “alright” might be what you want to say but take a moment and frame a sentence. It’s being polite and professional. Framing a professional email not only looks great, it makes your client feel like you are making time for them.
6. Reframe the subject line
If you are responding to a long trail of emails with the same subject line, it's advisable to change the subject. It can be the most recent update and when someone receives it in their inbox they will know what the answer is.
Being professional in emails is not rocket science – all it takes is the presence of mind and a conscious effort to be a true professional. So go ahead and try out these simple steps and be an email guru.
