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As a non-native English speaker, I have quite some trouble writing an email with proper etiquette. I'm not quite sure HOW to write a one-liner email question (s

by NhanH 13y ago

As a non-native English speaker, I have quite some trouble writing an email with proper etiquette. I'm not quite sure HOW to write a one-liner email question (shouldn't I introduce myself, provide context, isn't it rude to ask in a one-liner etc). Do you mind giving a specific example on how such an email should be?

WadeF 13y ago
This comment is actually a great example of a one-line email question. Just do this and you'll likely get good response.
saraid216 13y ago
State your name, disclose any relevant bits (I am a journalist; I am a government official; I may publish your response; etc.), and ask your question. You might have a signature that gives more disclosure, like a phone number. Providing context is, as a rule of thumb, a bad idea. It takes time to read it, and that's the exact opposite of the point of a one-liner. If it's necessary for answering the question, then chances are the question is too broad or poorly targeted: your recipient ought to already have the necessary context. That's what makes them useful for asking your question. That said, it's just a guideline, which means break it when you feel like breaking it. Everyone is going to have a different threshold for what seems rude, what seems worth answering, and so on; you kinda have to go with hit or miss. Only this past week, I actually got a response back from an author I emailed over a month ago. I had stopped expecting a response two days after I sent it off and moved on, so it was a very pleasant surprise.
krmmalik 13y ago
Commenter above has very valid points. I think that with busy people, they're happy to forego etiquette somewhat. My last email went something like this Subject: One line response needed only Body: Hi X, Could you please tell me what you consider a healthy user activation rate? Thank you Regards --- That's it. Of course, that's not how I would email everyone.

by NhanH 13y ago

WadeF 13y ago

This comment is actually a great example of a one-line email question. Just do this and you'll likely get good response.

saraid216 13y ago

State your name, disclose any relevant bits (I am a journalist; I am a government official; I may publish your response; etc.), and ask your question. You might have a signature that gives more disclosure, like a phone number. Providing context is, as a rule of thumb, a bad idea. It takes time to read it, and that's the exact opposite of the point of a one-liner. If it's necessary for answering the question, then chances are the question is too broad or poorly targeted: your recipient ought to already have the necessary context. That's what makes them useful for asking your question. That said, it's just a guideline, which means break it when you feel like breaking it. Everyone is going to have a different threshold for what seems rude, what seems worth answering, and so on; you kinda have to go with hit or miss. Only this past week, I actually got a response back from an author I emailed over a month ago. I had stopped expecting a response two days after I sent it off and moved on, so it was a very pleasant surprise.

krmmalik 13y ago

Commenter above has very valid points. I think that with busy people, they're happy to forego etiquette somewhat. My last email went something like this Subject: One line response needed only Body: Hi X, Could you please tell me what you consider a healthy user activation rate? Thank you Regards --- That's it. Of course, that's not how I would email everyone.