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Don't Reply All: 18 Email Tactics That Help You Write Better Emails and Improve Communication with Your Team
Are you frustrated with the amount of time you spend managing your emails every day?
-How to use the "3Ws" to clearly assign tasks in emails and get things done.
-Four recommendations to help you create powerful subject lines to ensure that your emails are read.
-How to use "If...then..." statements in your messages to improve clarity, increase accountability, and reduce the amount of follow-ups.
-Tips to show you how to format your email so readers will easily be able to see the most important parts of your message.
-How to list questions and present options instead of asking open-ended queries to reduce back & forth emails.
-How to improve your email open-rate by using the "Delay Delivery" feature to schedule your emails in advance.
Don't Reply All will show you how to use email more efficiently.
Most employees spend over 11 hours a week reading and replying to emails.
In this book, you'll learn how to spend less time and make your messages more effective. You'll get research-based guidelines for improving the way you communicate with your team members.
Here is a partial list of what's covered:
-How to use the "3Ws" to clearly assign tasks in emails and get things done.
-Four recommendations to help you create powerful subject lines to ensure that your emails are read.
-How to use "If...then..." statements in your messages to improve clarity, increase accountability, and reduce the amount of follow-ups.
-Tips to show you how to format your email so readers will easily be able to see the most important parts of your message.
-How to list questions and present options instead of asking open-ended queries to reduce back & forth emails.
-How to improve your email open-rate by using the "Delay Delivery" feature to schedule your emails in advance.
Here's what's included in the book:
Tactic #1: Assign Tasks in an Email Using the "3Ws"
Tactic #2: Write the Perfect Subject Line
Tactic #3: TL;DR - Write Emails That are Five Sentences or Less
Tactic #4: Break Long Emails into Two Parts
Tactic #5: Make Your Emails Scannable
Tactic #6: Show Instead of Tell by Attaching Screenshots
Tactic #7: Spell Out Time Zones, Dates, and Acronyms
Tactic #8: Use "If...then..." Statements
Tactic #9: Present Options Instead of Asking Open-Ended Questions
Tactic #10: Re-Read Your Email Once for a Content Check
Tactic #11: Save Drafts of Repetitive Emails
Tactic #12: Write It Now, Send It Later Using Delay Delivery
Tactic #13: Don't Reply All (Unless You Absolutely Have To)
Tactic #14: Reply to Questions Inline
Tactic #15: Reply Immediately to Time-Sensitive Emails
Tactic #16: Read the Latest Email on a Thread Before Responding
Tactic #17: Write the Perfect Out-of-Office (OOO) Auto Reply
Tactic #18: Share the Rules of Email Ahead of Time
Free Bonus
As a free bonus for purchasing this book, you'll get a downloadable cheat sheet (a PDF file) that summarizes the content on one single page. You'll also get a PowerPoint presentation (a PPT file) that also summarizes the tactics in the book, but in more detail so you can share the deck with your team.
78 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 11, 2015
355 people are currently reading
284 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
June 13, 2020
Good book. It lists top emails protocols that could help improving communication among teams and increase productivity. Some tips are simple and commonly used however the book also highlighted a group of good tips that could be new to most of us. I recommend all who are dealing with lengthy emails to read this book.
June 22, 2019
A great compilation of emails tips and advices
Another concise book from Hassan. As a busy manager, I really loved Hassan's books you can virtually read in one go, between 45 - 60 minutes. This one isn't an exception.
I consider myself as a good email communicator and my colleagues also say it as well. Nevertheless, I learned lot by reading this book.
All the 18 tactics are great. While I was consistantly using 2/3 of them, few were a happy discovery for me such as Tactic 8 (Use “If…then…” statements for clarity on next steps and to hold your team members accountable.) I will start applying this immediately.
I love the way Hassan structured the OOO (Out Of Office) reply. I will start using the proposed OOO structure.
The other tactic I found very useful is Tactic 4: Break long emails into two parts, and label them “Quick Summary” and “Details”.
I will definitely use the cheat sheet with my team to agree on the top tactics we should consistently use as a team.
Another concise book from Hassan. As a busy manager, I really loved Hassan's books you can virtually read in one go, between 45 - 60 minutes. This one isn't an exception.
I consider myself as a good email communicator and my colleagues also say it as well. Nevertheless, I learned lot by reading this book.
All the 18 tactics are great. While I was consistantly using 2/3 of them, few were a happy discovery for me such as Tactic 8 (Use “If…then…” statements for clarity on next steps and to hold your team members accountable.) I will start applying this immediately.
I love the way Hassan structured the OOO (Out Of Office) reply. I will start using the proposed OOO structure.
The other tactic I found very useful is Tactic 4: Break long emails into two parts, and label them “Quick Summary” and “Details”.
I will definitely use the cheat sheet with my team to agree on the top tactics we should consistently use as a team.
December 11, 2015
Don't Reply All is a great book for managing email. For those of us have been in the workforce for a while, Don't Reply All offers a great reminder of things we learned about managing email, but have forgotten at some point. It's starting point to getting back into control. Folks who are new to the workforce may be surprised by the sheer volume of email they get. Don't Reply All will make it easier to avoid the mistakes we made. Don't let email control you, let Don't Reply All put you back in control.
November 18, 2019
Geez. If there is a line between a book and a long article, pretty sure this one didn't make the cut. And the so-called bonus will fish you for your email account. Annoying.
January 24, 2021
I appreciate how short and direct this book is. All of the principles are sound and succinct. I'm planning to use this with my community college students. Most haven't worked in a professional environment heavy with email communication. I wish the book would have included email communication with customers rather than focusing solely on internal team communication. I think there are some extra tips to add when you're emailing a customer. I would have given it a higher rating if there were more examples and fewer single sentence paragraphs which work fine in an email setting but seem choppy in a print book.
October 17, 2021
Mostly good reminders with a few new ideas
This book was mostly a helpful reminder of how to use email effectively. I do appreciate the author sharing the PDF and the slides to make it easy to share the ideas with my team.
I also found a few tips that I hadn't run across before including creating and saving draft emails you can use to quickly respond to repeat questions and pulling questions out of an email that mixes them throughout the original email.
This book was mostly a helpful reminder of how to use email effectively. I do appreciate the author sharing the PDF and the slides to make it easy to share the ideas with my team.
I also found a few tips that I hadn't run across before including creating and saving draft emails you can use to quickly respond to repeat questions and pulling questions out of an email that mixes them throughout the original email.
November 10, 2021
Very good tactics and advice
I am very verbose when I write, especially emails. Sometimes I get carried away, and my emails go unanswered. It’s a problem, and the root cause is me. This little book is packed with tactics to help people like me remain focused when writing or replying to emails. Some are common sense, some I already use, and some were new to me. They will definitely help me write better emails. I almost want to buy a copy for each of my co-workers!
I am very verbose when I write, especially emails. Sometimes I get carried away, and my emails go unanswered. It’s a problem, and the root cause is me. This little book is packed with tactics to help people like me remain focused when writing or replying to emails. Some are common sense, some I already use, and some were new to me. They will definitely help me write better emails. I almost want to buy a copy for each of my co-workers!
April 27, 2020
I finished Managing Virtual Teams, which is by the same author, a few days ago. I then immediately bought this one. Both are condensed with only the most essential information. I love that.
This book is so helpful even if you already consider yourself an effective email communicator. Read it over a weekend. Benefit for the rest of your career.
This book is so helpful even if you already consider yourself an effective email communicator. Read it over a weekend. Benefit for the rest of your career.
May 18, 2020
Excellent easy to read and practical brief book
The book is very user friendly. Some of the tips may look obvious, but not all of us know them and effectively use them. I have immediately noticed a change in my mental processes when drafting emails.
The book is very user friendly. Some of the tips may look obvious, but not all of us know them and effectively use them. I have immediately noticed a change in my mental processes when drafting emails.
February 16, 2021
Wonderful and concise
This book has some very clear guidelines that actually do help reduce the back-n-forth email responses. I would highly recommend this to anyone that uses email extensively in their job.
This book has some very clear guidelines that actually do help reduce the back-n-forth email responses. I would highly recommend this to anyone that uses email extensively in their job.
June 19, 2021
Fast read, useful tips and love the PowerPoint and PDF
This was quick and dirty, good examples of the concepts and how to use them, and great PDF and PowerPoint to launch the ideas to all on your team. Wells done!
This was quick and dirty, good examples of the concepts and how to use them, and great PDF and PowerPoint to launch the ideas to all on your team. Wells done!
July 4, 2021
This book is a decent book. I believe it is a little too wordy then it needs to be. A little unclear in of some parts, and in of about some contextes... but, the overall understanding of what is being written to be in of aid and provision is very much easy to rationalize and understand.
October 23, 2021
What an incredible find!
The book was short concise and exactly what I needed to improve my efficiency at work. I'm just imagining the possibility of how much time I'll be saving in a year.
The book was short concise and exactly what I needed to improve my efficiency at work. I'm just imagining the possibility of how much time I'll be saving in a year.
October 24, 2021
Great tips!
If you are looking for a quick guide to writing better emails this book is it. It's short, sweet, and to the point. I guarantee you will find something that you can use.
If you are looking for a quick guide to writing better emails this book is it. It's short, sweet, and to the point. I guarantee you will find something that you can use.
October 30, 2021
I can write business email at last!
Hassan Osman provides plenty real life examples you can apply at work right away. I cannot wait for the next book to come out. This book will change your life for good.
Hassan Osman provides plenty real life examples you can apply at work right away. I cannot wait for the next book to come out. This book will change your life for good.
January 9, 2022
Short and crisp
18 tactics to improve email writing. Very brief and important.
I receive a lot of emails daily and I was aware about most of the tactics but definitely some are new to me and would like to apply in my work.
Thank you.
18 tactics to improve email writing. Very brief and important.
I receive a lot of emails daily and I was aware about most of the tactics but definitely some are new to me and would like to apply in my work.
Thank you.
February 5, 2022
Perfect how-to book by a smart guy
I'm loving this author. He's direct, concise, structured, and to the point. His resume yells he's smart, and he proves it. Great book for busy people. A brief compilation of the common sense advice most people lack.
I'm loving this author. He's direct, concise, structured, and to the point. His resume yells he's smart, and he proves it. Great book for busy people. A brief compilation of the common sense advice most people lack.
March 19, 2022
Packed with amazing tips
One of the most practical books I've read. I can't wait to put them into practice. It'll save so much time and angst. I have now bought other titles by this author.
One of the most practical books I've read. I can't wait to put them into practice. It'll save so much time and angst. I have now bought other titles by this author.
May 8, 2022
A great book for every who writes emails
If in your work or business your face the challenge of manage and write a ton of emails, this book is for you. Hassan, in a easy reading lenguaje is laser focus in the nitty gritty of the e-mail issue and how to overcome it.
If in your work or business your face the challenge of manage and write a ton of emails, this book is for you. Hassan, in a easy reading lenguaje is laser focus in the nitty gritty of the e-mail issue and how to overcome it.
July 24, 2022
Interesting read!
Enjoyed this book. It contains great tips for increasing emailing efficiency. Highly recommend that you read it! This book helped me improve my email content and increased response rate.
Enjoyed this book. It contains great tips for increasing emailing efficiency. Highly recommend that you read it! This book helped me improve my email content and increased response rate.
September 5, 2022
This book highlights the importance of email as an effective communication tool at workplace and how to handle certain email etiquettes which are taken as granted in common workplace scenarios.
This is a very helpful for the people who are in their initial stages of their corporate journey.
This is a very helpful for the people who are in their initial stages of their corporate journey.
December 31, 2023
Right to the point
This was a great read. The author got down to business right from the start and gave great advice until the end. The tips in this book have changed my approach to my use of email.
This was a great read. The author got down to business right from the start and gave great advice until the end. The tips in this book have changed my approach to my use of email.
August 27, 2024
More of a pamphlet than a book. This is a nice guide to simple effective email communication. Nothing in here is groundbreaking, but it’s laid out clearly and broken into digestible steps that are easy to follow and implement.
November 3, 2024
practical and easy to read
This is a well written, simple, easy book. I appreciate that there is very little to no fluff in it and gets straight to the point with tangible and practical practices and examples.
This is a well written, simple, easy book. I appreciate that there is very little to no fluff in it and gets straight to the point with tangible and practical practices and examples.
January 22, 2025
Exceptional value
This short book is full of practical advice for the oversubscribed email writer. I immediately applied several of the tactics making my communications much better.
This short book is full of practical advice for the oversubscribed email writer. I immediately applied several of the tactics making my communications much better.
August 15, 2017
Most are common sense, but definitely helpful as a reference book when needed.
Read
October 28, 2017Very handy book
MUST reads!! Throughout the there are a lot of helpful tips. Also some great email template ideas. A BIG thanks to the author.
MUST reads!! Throughout the there are a lot of helpful tips. Also some great email template ideas. A BIG thanks to the author.
February 28, 2018
Great tactics , very helpful
It’s one of a great business tips for me , concise and actionable . Recommended for those who have tons of email
It’s one of a great business tips for me , concise and actionable . Recommended for those who have tons of email
May 10, 2019
A lot of helpful tips. Should've read this during my early career years.
September 9, 2019
Short and sweet and great tips.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews