登录查看更多内容

What are the key differences between a first email and a follow-up?

由人工智能和领英社区提供技术支持

In business communications, crafting the perfect email is crucial, whether it's your first outreach or a follow-up. The initial email is your chance to make a strong first impression and requires a carefully structured approach to introduce yourself and your purpose. A follow-up email, on the other hand, serves to remind, persuade, or provide additional information based on the recipient's response—or lack thereof—to your first message. Understanding the differences between these two types of emails can significantly impact your communication strategy and the results you achieve.

在这篇协作文章中查找专家回答

由社区从 4 条内容中精选。了解更多

1 First Email

When you send a first email, it's like knocking on someone's door for the first time. You need to introduce yourself, explain why you're reaching out, and make it clear what you're asking for. This email should be concise yet informative, providing enough context to pique the recipient's interest. It's essential to establish relevance and value to the recipient, ensuring they understand why engaging with you could be beneficial. The tone should be professional and respectful, acknowledging that you're initiating a new relationship.

添加您的观点

Wesley Kersting

Technician at Weighing Technologies Inc
举报内容
This is a wonderful perspective! You do have to modify your unheard voice in your email as well. Punctuation, capitalization, and the way you express yourself will help to define context behind an email. You can give it a sense of urgency and importance, grief or anger. Read it as you're talking to someone out loud so the emotion in the email is correctly read.

已翻译

赞

2 Follow-up Email

A follow-up email is your opportunity to reinforce your initial message or to nudge the recipient towards a response. In this email, you should reference your previous communication and clarify your request if it wasn't addressed. The tone can be more direct, yet it should still convey patience and understanding. It's important to avoid coming across as pushy; instead, aim to demonstrate that you value the recipient's time and consideration. This is also a good time to add any new information or a gentle reminder of impending deadlines.

添加您的观点

Wesley Kersting

Technician at Weighing Technologies Inc
举报内容
Tone is always important in an email. I have seen more often than not, unprofessional emails expressing urgency and a need for something. This situation is always understandable especially when your job or finances for a company are at risk. It is important to continue to be professional and keep a composure in every situation.

已翻译

赞

3 Tone Variation

The tone of your first email should be one of introduction and invitation, setting a foundation for future interactions. It's about being courteous and informative without assuming familiarity. In contrast, the follow-up email's tone can assume a slight familiarity, given the previous contact. It can also be more assertive, reflecting your anticipation of a response. Adjusting the tone appropriately ensures that your message is not only heard but also well-received.

添加您的观点

4 Content Focus

The content of your first email should focus on establishing a connection and providing clear, valuable information about your proposal or inquiry. It's not the place for excessive details but rather an overview that invites further discussion. The follow-up email's content, however, can delve deeper into specifics or address any points that may need clarification. It can also serve as a prompt for action if the initial email failed to elicit a response.

添加您的观点

Wesley Kersting

Technician at Weighing Technologies Inc
举报内容
If your article requires you to list large amounts of information. Proof read before sending. Breakdown your information into organized groups to avoid jumping around making it boring and confusing.

已翻译

赞

5 Call to Action

Your first email should end with a clear call to action (CTA) that guides the recipient on what to do next. This could be to schedule a meeting, answer a question, or simply acknowledge receipt. The CTA in a follow-up email might be more pointed, stressing the importance of the desired action. It should convey urgency without desperation and offer a convenient way for the recipient to fulfill your request.

添加您的观点

6 Frequency and Timing

Finally, the frequency and timing of sending these emails are crucial. Your first email marks the beginning of a conversation and should be sent at a time when it's likely to get noticed—avoiding weekends and holidays, for example. Follow-up emails should be timed considerately, allowing enough time for the recipient to have read and considered your initial message but not so much time that your request becomes irrelevant. Striking the right balance is key to maintaining professionalism and respect for the recipient's time.

添加您的观点

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

添加您的观点

Wesley Kersting

Technician at Weighing Technologies Inc
举报内容
LinkedIn learning offers email courses to help with proper etiquette and the above listed form. Make sure when sending professional emails , you are aware of who is attached and if they are connected to replies or if you respond to all. This helps with avoiding a conflict when discussing workplace issues or changes in scope of work

已翻译

赞

Business Communications

+ 关注

给文章评分

我们借助人工智能创建了此文章。您认为这篇文章怎么样？

很棒不太好

举报此文章

查看全部

What are the key differences between a first email and a follow-up?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 First Email

2 Follow-up Email

3 Tone Variation

4 Content Focus

5 Call to Action

6 Frequency and Timing

7 Here’s what else to consider

Business Communications

给文章评分

感谢您的反馈

更多Business Communications相关文章

更多相关阅读内容

What are the key differences between a first email and a follow-up?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 First Email

2 Follow-up Email

3 Tone Variation

4 Content Focus

5 Call to Action

6 Frequency and Timing

7 Here’s what else to consider

Business Communications

给文章评分

感谢您的反馈

查看其他技能