Should you reconsider sending that email?

Read time: Under 2 minutes

Did you see this article circulating in The Financial Times last month?

It's interesting, isn't it?

That the emails and replies we send are polluting the environment.

All of those "thank-you's" and "will-do's" clogging up data centres. 

On the other hand, it sounds a bit like clap-trap, and I'm sure there are much more impactful ways to tackle climate change than emails of all things.

Let's face it, there are much bigger fish to fry (or not, as it were!)

But, saying that, it did make me think about when to reconsider sending an email.

So, before you hit send, ask yourself these questions:

• Am I getting my point across? 

​So often the point of an email gets lost beneath unnecessary waffle, confusing the reader and causing them to come back with questions. Keep it clear when telling them what you need or what you want them to do. 

• Is my email adding value? Do I need to send it? 

​Before sending any email, social post or blog, you really need to be asking yourself why you're sending it and what value you're giving to the reader. 

• Do I really need to copy in everyone in my department? 

I don't know about you, but I hate it when my inbox is clogged. A huge percentage of my inbox is taken up by emails I'm cc'd into that I don't actually need to read, things that aren't under my remit but that I'm copied into anyway, and it drives me a little nuts. Wouldn't it be better to just email the one or two people you actually need input from and who'll bother replying?

• Does this even sound like me?

​What is it about a blank email that makes us panic and start writing things we'd never say in real life? 'Hello, Kate! How are you? I hope you're well. Did you enjoy the weekend? Do anything interesting of note (probably not as we're in another lockdown) but thought I'd ask?... Anyway, here's that thing you asked me to do. Thanks!' 

Don't be afraid of the blank page, keep it short, simple and to the point. Kim Arnold has a great post on writing better emails that I urge you to check out! 

• Can I take the conversation elsewhere? 

For internal comms, I opt for Asana. It's a sure-fire way to cut down on the chit-chat and, if you're in there enough to not need email notifications, you can just turn them off, freeing your inbox from the clutter!

Now it's over to you! Are you making your emails count?