OK, businessperson, so you’re once again learning that an adage is true: “A watched pot never boils.” That’s especially true when hoping for positive information in business.
If you’re like many businesspeople, you’re experiencing stress waiting to hear back from clients or other associates. You’re wearing yourself out checking your inbox.
Ever wonder why you’re waiting nonstop for emails – why you’re unsuccessful after you send follow-up emails?
So you start thinking about all the quotations about perseverance.
You’re motivated to think of excuses to send yet another follow-up email.
Wait.
First, think about how you feel when you get emails that don’t motivate you.
Many such emails are insulting because they’re annoying, right?
Here are common mistakes in sending follow-up emails:
1. “In case, my email went to your junk…”
Imagining your email recipient never saw your email is unproductive. Sending such an email is fantasy thinking.
Your intended recipient will likely think the same as you.
Worse, the person is likely to think you’re immature from being awkwardly impatient.
2. “Just following up in checking you didn’t forget…”
By sending such an email, you’re assuming there’s an irrational reason why the person hasn’t responded.
Actually, you’re insinuating the person either has amnesia or isn’t organized.
“Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.”
-Jean-Jacques Rousseau
3. “Because my email hasn’t been working well…”
By dishonestly trying not to insult the person, you’re sending the message that your email system is inefficient.
Scheming is not a virtue. Don’t send such an email unless it’s really true.
4. “Realizing you’re really busy…”
Your recipient is likely to be insulted because you’re telling the person to make you a priority. That’s gauche. Put another way, it’s insulting.
Acknowledging the person is busy, but then to become an interruption in his or her day is unproductive and isn’t likely to be received well. You’re actually being dismissive of the person.
Solution
Forget the manipulations. Fake excuses will be obvious. They make you look like a dishonest amateur.
If you want an answer, show you have patience with true business acumen. Wait five business days between communications. Send truthful emails with value propositions.
By being patient – not needy – you’re far more likely to win. So don’t give away your power by being impatient.
From the Coach’s Corner, here are tips in the art of persuasion:
25 Best Practices for Better Business Writing — If you want to accelerate your career or turbo-charge your business, one of your priorities should be good communication. Good writing is necessary in a myriad of ways, including letters, advertising copy and presentations. A lack of writing skills will hold you back or even hurt your career.
9 Tips to Connect with People after You Make Your Speech — Typically, in making a speech at a public forum, businesspeople hope to get a return on their investment — here’s how you can get a strong ROI.
Are You Hungry for Marketing Ideas to Expand Your E-mail List? — Bloggers and Web site owners can benefit from the same potpourri of strategies to attract visitors and to persuade them to join an e-mail list.
Business Etiquette Dos and Don’ts – Sending Holiday Cards — One of the best investments for your business relationships is to send holiday cards. It’s an excellent way to stay in touch and to show gratitude in your business relationships. But you must do it right.
“Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.”
-Jean-Jacques Rousseau
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