Creating New and Improving Existing Relationships Through Emails

● Communication has an impact on relationships.

● So long as you're communicating, your relationship is evolving.
● Many people discount emails as a suitable medium for creating new
relationships or even maintaining existing relationships.
● Like all forms of communication, emails can be effective in forming
bonds and persuading people toward a specific direction.

Style and Tone of Writing

● Some people may view emails as too “formal” or too “informal” for
building relationships.
● If your email is balanced in the middle, it becomes suitable for managing
business relationships.
● It is all about being professional without being detached and being
friendly without seeming too artificial.
● You need to strike a balance between generic and personable.
● The real marker of this balance is linked with the person you're sending
the email to.
● You'll not only have to assess your relationship with them but also their
personality.

Always Provide Context

● Context is important when it comes to emails because it keeps the

conversation flowing and the recipient interested.
● In contrast, abruptness is a major obstacle in interpersonal relationships,
irrespective of whether it is perceived textually or face to face.
 ● This means that if you're emailing a colleague, you need to start with
something familiar, followed by a contextual reference to your primary
objective.

Before:

“Could you tell me why we’ve hired a second social media manager for the
same client?”

After:

“Hi Allan,

Hope you're doing well (familiarity). I was just reviewing our project allocations
and had a question (contextual reference). Could you tell me why we’ve hired a
second social media manager for the same client?”

● When sending an email to someone you don’t know, you need to

introduce yourself first and then provide context before getting to the
crux of the email.

Before:

“Dear Allan,

Could you help me get a review in The Telegraph and The Washington Post?”

After:

“Dear Allan,
I am Percy, VP of Marketing at ABC Ltd (introduction). Jack Collins referred you
to me as someone who can help me with public relations (context). Could you
help me get a review in The Washington Post?”

● The before examples in both the samples are abrupt, which will result in
instant mental separation from the receiver.
● The after examples, on the other hand, gently introduce the receiver to
the objective of the email and improve the chances of a positive
response.

Learn When to Respect and Ignore Hierarchy

● Hierarchy is important in a business because it separates responsibilities

and establishes accountability.
● Hierarchy also tends to be stringent because it clearly demarcates the
relationship between people and naturally prevents relationships from
evolving.
● If you're placed above the other individual, then it is easy to ignore
hierarchical requirements by instilling humor into your email.
● You effectively open the door that will slowly lead to a relationship.
● It is more difficult to ignore hierarchy when you're emailing upward in
the hierarchical chain.
● When messaging your boss, you cannot ignore the hierarchical
requirements.
● When it comes to seniors, you're expected to defer to their judgment
and show respect.

3 ways to connect with your superior:

● Drop subjects in your email that you know appeal to your boss.
● Be humble about your work.
● Praise your team members while letting your input slide.