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Clare Lynch

Do you worry your emails aren't having the impact you'd like?

Do you often have to chase people to respond to your emails?

Would you like to save time when writing emails?

Want to know how to get your message across in an email clearly, concisely and compellingly?

From one of Udemy's top writing instructors comes this short, sharp course on email etiquette. In it you'll discover how to:

- follow a proven formula for structuring effective emails

- write for international readers by understanding a key principle of intercultural communication

Read more

Do you worry your emails aren't having the impact you'd like?

Do you often have to chase people to respond to your emails?

Would you like to save time when writing emails?

Want to know how to get your message across in an email clearly, concisely and compellingly?

From one of Udemy's top writing instructors comes this short, sharp course on email etiquette. In it you'll discover how to:

- follow a proven formula for structuring effective emails

- write for international readers by understanding a key principle of intercultural communication

- strike the right tone of voice and level of formality

- get a desired response from your reader by following a key golden rule when crafting any email

- adapt your emails to reflect the switch from desktop to mobile

- maintain a positive workplace culture through email

- avoid accusations of bullying, back-covering and discrimination in your emails

- craft a subject line that maximises your chances of your email being read

- create an out of office reply that will empower your team to handle things smoothly while you're away

- proofread your email effectively to avoid those embarrassing howlers

You'll also get a downloadable coursebook, including a 7-point checklist to print out and keep by your desk so you never write an ineffective email ever again.

So stop stressing over what to say and how to say it.

Enrol now to make your very next email as punchy, powerful and persuasive as possible.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Write punchier, more powerful emails every time
  • Contribute to a positive workplace culture through email
  • Never write an embarrassing or ineffective email ever again
  • Save time and eliminate stress when writing your next email
  • Apply simple layout tricks to adapt your emails for readers on mobile
  • Avoid accusations of bullying, back-covering and discrimination in your emails

Syllabus

Understand if this is the right course for you

Before you sign up, please take a moment to find out more about what this course on email etiquette covers.

Read more

Download this ebook to refer to as you work your way through the course - includes a handy email checklist to keep by your desk!

Prepare for this section on what to say in an email - and how to say it.

How to write effective emails for UK and US readers.

Use this proven formula to outline your next email.

Your chance to try out the Situation, Complication, Resolution, Action, Politeness structure.

My proposed solution to the previous exercise.

A SCRAP template with suggested wording.

How to minimise the need to chase by writing an email that gets the response you want.

A simple structure for writing a clear, succinct response to a confusing email.

A TIC template with suggested wording.

How to write an email that's easy on your recipient's eye - so they want to read what you have to say!

Test your understanding of the what, how and when of getting your message across.

A quick reminder of what you've learned in this section on what to say in your emails - and how to say it.

Prepare for this section by answering some questions about when to email and when not to.

What not to say in an email.

Sometimes meeting face-to-face or picking up the phone are better alternatives to email. Here's when to use them.

How to respond by email in a timely and thoughtful way.

Test your understanding of sending timely and appropriate emails

A quick reminder of what you've learned on this section on when and when not to email.

Prepare for this section on writing effective greetings, sign-offs, signatures and email subject lines.

How to greet someone in an email.

The most professional email sign-offs to use in business.

Tips for effective subject lines - to increase your chances of your recipient opening your email.

A quick reminder of what you've learned in this section on email greetings, sign-offs, signatures and subject lines.

Prepare for this section on other aspects of email best practice.

Best practice for flagging an email as urgent or high-priority.

All about cc, bcc and reply all: how to avoid email embarrassment (and accusations of bullying).

How to send an email attachment without making life difficult for your recipient.

Best practice for writing an out-of-office reply.

How to proofread an email like a pro.

A quick reminder of what you've learned in this section on email best practice.

Here's how to get your course certificate

Got the writing bug and want to dig deeper into the topic? Check out our other courses.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Teaches students how to write powerfully and persuasively for the business environment, which is a highly valuable skill
Provides a seven-point checklist for students to keep at their desks, which can serve as a reference for effective email writing
Suitable for non-native English speakers, as it includes tips on how to write emails that are clear and easy to understand for international readers
Can help students understand and avoid accusations of bullying, back-covering, and discrimination in their emails
Addresses the importance of email in maintaining a positive workplace culture, which may be of interest to students who want to foster a collaborative work environment
Provides timely response tips to help students with their time management and improve their communication skills

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Reviews summary

Practical email writing for professionals

According to learners, this course is highly practical and provides actionable steps to improve email communication at work. Students frequently mention the concise nature of the content, which gets straight to the point, saving time and making it easy to apply immediately. The proven formulas, such as the SCRAP framework, are highlighted as particularly helpful for structuring emails effectively. Many feel the course significantly boosts confidence in writing professional emails and contributes positively to workplace communication. While excellent for beginners or as a refresher, some more experienced users found it basic.
Excellent for new writers or those needing a review.
"This is a fantastic course for anyone new to professional email."
"It was a great refresher on best practices that I had forgotten."
"Perfect if you're just starting out in a professional environment."
"For someone already proficient, it might feel a bit too basic."
Provides useful templates and checklists.
"The downloadable checklist is a great tool to keep handy at my desk."
"I really liked having the SCRAP and TIC templates provided."
"The additional resources are practical and easy to use."
"The coursebook is a good reference to reinforce the lessons."
Increases confidence in writing professional emails.
"I feel much more confident writing emails now after taking this course."
"It helped me overcome my anxiety about sending important work emails."
"My confidence in professional writing has definitely improved."
"This course made me feel capable of writing effective and polite emails."
Offers effective frameworks like SCRAP and TIC.
"The SCRAP formula completely changed how I structure my emails for clarity."
"I found the TIC framework very helpful for writing quick responses."
"Learning these structures makes writing clear emails so much easier."
"Applying the SCRAP method has improved the readability of my messages."
Content is brief, clear, and respects learner's time.
"The lectures are short and to the point, making it easy to fit into a busy schedule."
"I appreciated how concise and clear the information was."
"No fluff, just the essentials needed to write better emails."
"It's a quick but powerful course that doesn't waste your time."
Provides concrete, immediately applicable advice.
"I learned how to write emails that get results using practical techniques."
"The course gave me actionable advice that I could implement right away at work."
"I found the tips on structuring emails and writing subject lines incredibly useful."
"It's full of simple, practical steps that make a big difference in my emails."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Email Etiquette: Write More Effective Emails At Work with these activities:
Identify a mentor in email communication
Seek guidance and support from an experienced professional to enhance your email communication skills.
Browse courses on Mentorship
Show steps
  • Identify individuals in your professional network or industry who are known for their effective email communication.
  • Reach out to potential mentors and express your interest in learning from their expertise.
  • Establish regular communication channels and seek feedback on your email writing.
Refresher course: subject line writing
Revisit the basics of effective subject line writing for professional email communications.
Show steps
  • Read an article or watch a video tutorial on subject line writing best practices.
  • Review your recent emails and identify areas where subject lines could be improved.
  • Practice writing subject lines for different email scenarios.
Explore Email Management Tools
Enhance email management skills and productivity by exploring specialized tools.
Show steps
  • Research and identify popular email management tools.
  • Follow tutorials and documentation to learn their features and functionality.
  • Implement the tools in your own email workflow.
Ten other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all 13 activities
Peer review and feedback
Collaborate with peers to provide constructive feedback on each other's emails, fostering continuous improvement.
Browse courses on Peer Feedback
Show steps
  • Identify a peer who is also enrolled in the course or has relevant experience.
  • Exchange emails with your peer and provide specific feedback on clarity, tone, and effectiveness.
  • Incorporate the feedback received into your future email communications.
Email Mock-Up Exercises
Develop proficiency in structuring effective and professional emails through practical exercises.
Browse courses on Email Structure
Show steps
  • Review the guidelines and principles of effective email writing.
  • Draft sample emails based on provided scenarios.
  • Analyze feedback and refine email drafts.
Email writing exercises
Engage in targeted practice to improve the clarity, conciseness, and effectiveness of your email writing.
Browse courses on Email Writing
Show steps
  • Identify a specific email communication goal (e.g., inform, persuade, request).
  • Draft an email based on the chosen goal and target audience.
  • Seek feedback from a colleague or mentor on your draft.
  • Revise and refine your email based on the feedback received.
Organize Peer Review Sessions for Email Drafts
Improve email writing abilities by exchanging feedback and collaborating with peers.
Browse courses on Collaborative Learning
Show steps
  • Organize a group of peers interested in reviewing email drafts.
  • Share draft emails for review and provide constructive feedback.
  • Incorporate feedback into revised email drafts.
Review 'On Writing Well' By William Zinsser
This book provides practical advice and anecdotes to improve writing skills across various aspects.
View Extraordinary Lives on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read through the book, taking notes on key concepts.
  • Apply the techniques discussed in the book to your email writing.
  • Reflect on your experience and identify areas for improvement.
Email template library
Develop a personalized library of email templates to streamline your communication and maintain consistency.
Browse courses on Email Templates
Show steps
  • Identify the types of emails you frequently send (e.g., introductions, follow-ups, requests).
  • Create templates for each type of email, including clear subject lines and well-structured content.
  • Store the templates in an easily accessible location for future use.
Attend a Professional Development Workshop on Email Communication
Gain hands-on experience and insights from industry experts in email communication.
Browse courses on Workplace Communication
Show steps
  • Research and identify relevant professional development workshops.
  • Attend a workshop led by experienced professionals.
  • Participate actively in discussions and exercises.
  • Apply the knowledge and techniques learned to your own email practices.
Compose an Email Policy
Reinforce understanding by developing a comprehensive email policy for a hypothetical organization.
Browse courses on Workplace Communication
Show steps
  • Research best practices and industry standards for email policies.
  • Identify specific email communication guidelines and protocols.
  • Draft an email policy document outlining these guidelines.
  • Review and refine the policy to ensure clarity and effectiveness.
Online course: advanced email communication
Enroll in an online course designed to enhance your email communication skills for professional settings.
Show steps
  • Research and select an online course that aligns with your learning objectives.
  • Set aside dedicated time to complete the course modules and assignments.
  • Actively participate in discussions and engage with the course materials.
  • Apply the newly acquired knowledge and techniques to your own email communications.
Volunteer to Mentor Students on Email Writing Skills
Strengthen your understanding of email communication by sharing knowledge and guiding others.
Show steps
  • Identify opportunities to mentor students or junior colleagues in email writing.
  • Provide guidance on email structure, tone, and best practices.
  • Offer constructive feedback and support to mentees.

Career center

Learners who complete Email Etiquette: Write More Effective Emails At Work will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Email Marketing Specialist
An Email Marketing Specialist plans and executes marketing campaigns through email. To craft a successful campaign, it is necessary to understand how to write emails that will resonate with the target audience. This course teaches how to structure an email, as well as other writing best practices.
Content Writer
Content Writers need to be able to effectively communicate in writing, and it is important to know how to do so through an email. This skill can make a big difference when trying to bring on a new client or to improve inter-office communications.
Technical Writer
A Technical Writer provides instructions and documentation that clearly communicates information to its audience. In order to relay information effectively, it is important for a Technical Writer to understand email best practices.
Proposal Writer
Proposal Writers may work independently or for a consulting firm and are responsible for writing persuasive proposals for clients. A large part of the job is in the ability to write clearly and persuasively. This course is a valuable tool in helping to develop both of these skills.
Copywriter
Copywriters are responsible for writing marketing copy for a variety of purposes, such as emails, marketing materials, and advertisements. An ability to write clear and concise emails is a necessary skill in effectively marketing a product.
Marketing Manager
Marketing Managers are responsible for planning and implementing a company's marketing strategy. Email is a valuable means of marketing because it is inexpensive and has a wide reach. By creating an email that has a positive response, it is possible to improve the marketing campaign outcomes.
Communications Manager
A Communications Manager is responsible for developing and managing a company's communications strategy. Email is an important tool for ensuring that the organization has a positive image and message.
Customer Service Representative
Customer Service Representatives communicate with customers via email and a variety of other communication methods. Having a strong command of email best practices can help to improve the customer experience.
Sales Representative
Sales Representatives spend much of their day writing emails. This course can help a Sales Representative to discover how to write emails that will increase their chances of closing a sale.
Project Manager
Project Managers communicate with clients and team members using a variety of communication tools, including email. This course can help project managers to learn to write emails that are clear, concise, and effective.
Business Development Representative
Business Development Representatives spend much of their day writing emails to existing clients and potential clients. This course can help to make those emails more effective at building relationships.
Consultant
Consultants need to write a variety of documents, including emails. This course can be helpful for learning to write effective emails to potential clients, as well as for writing updates to existing clients.
Account Manager
Account Managers spend much of their day communicating with clients, and much of that communication is done through email. By learning how to effectively communicate by email, an Account Manager can build stronger relationships with their clients.
Freelance Writer
Freelance Writers need to be able to clearly and effectively convey ideas and information through writing. This course can help Freelance Writers to create highly effective emails for pitching to clients and building their business.
Journalist
Journalists communicate through writing and often use email to conduct interviews, fact-check information, and exchange ideas with editors and other journalists. This course can help Journalists to effectively communicate via email in a professional and efficient manner.

Reading list

We've selected 12 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Email Etiquette: Write More Effective Emails At Work.
Comprehensive guide to writing effective emails. It covers everything from how to format an email to how to handle difficult conversations. It's a great resource for anyone who wants to take their email writing skills to the next level.
This classic guide to writing has been helping people write clearly and effectively for over 80 years. It great resource for anyone who wants to improve their email writing skills.
This classic book on writing must-read for anyone who wants to improve their email writing skills. It covers everything from grammar and punctuation to style and tone.
Save
Comprehensive guide to getting organized and productive. It's full of practical advice that can help you to improve your email writing skills.
This unique book collection of 262 lists of awesome things. It's a great source of inspiration and motivation for anyone who wants to improve their life or work.
Classic on the power of positive thinking. It's full of inspiring stories and practical advice that can help you to improve your attitude and outlook on life.
Comprehensive guide to email marketing. It covers everything from how to create an email list to how to track your results. It's a great resource for anyone who wants to use email to grow their business.
Provides comprehensive guidance on how to write professional emails. It covers everything from formatting to tone to grammar.

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