Competing For Attention + Getting It

A THOUGHT FROM JENNIFER

The Art of Communication - Part 3

Did you know that around 75% of all emails are read on mobile devices? And that you have less than 9 seconds to make your point?

When you’re competing for attention against other emails and responsibilities, how can you make your messages stand out?

1 - Start with a lead

In 2-3 sentences, write a clear summary that includes:

• What you need
• When you need it by
• Why it’s important

2 - Bullets and bolding and links, oh my!

People are impatient. I’m the worst! If I can’t get the gist of an email quickly, I move on to something else. But making your email skimmable will help the recipient understand your request - and reply! - more quickly.

Bullets help the reader digest the various options or key points.

Bolding is effective for:

• Creating clear sections in an otherwise long email
• Highlighting key phrases ?

3 - Include links

Lastly, when you need someone to interact with a file, link to the file! If someone has to dig for a resource, their response time will increase dramatically.

Check out these examples of what to do and not do:

Put a little extra time into your emails and DM communications, and watch your response rate grow!

On the journey with you,

Jennifer Hamel, PMP

POINTS TO PONDER

• Have you ever received a forwarded email thread with multiple messages, and the sender simply wrote “Thoughts?” in their message to you?
• Was it frustrating to sift through the whole thread to figure out what the sender wanted from you?

Tell us your experience in the comments!

A RESOURCE WE LOVE

Get Better At Asking For Help

By Carolyn Wildermuth , Project Coordinator

"Asking for help is a strategy, not a weakness."?–?Lydia Rueger Shoaf

Keeping projects moving forward often?requires asking others for help. But for many of us, asking for help feels?difficult or?awkward. So how can we overcome?this?discomfort and communicate in ways?that get others to say yes?

Heidi Grant shares practical,?research-based advice in her Ted Talk,?How to Ask For Help—and Get a Yes. In this?video, she offers four simple do’s and don’ts for?asking for help, following up, and motivating others to reply with a yes—both now and in the future.

If you have a hard time asking for help—or lead someone who does—this talk provides solid, practical steps that will help you?start asking like a champ!?

BRAIN BREAK

2024 In Pictures

By Carolyn Wildermuth, Project Coordinator

As 2024 comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on the events of my life this past year—the blessings, the losses, and everything in between.

On a larger scale, here’s a visual journal of what 2024 looked like across the world. The?Associated Press'?100 Photos of 2024: An epic catalog of humanity?captures?daily life, world events,?breaking news, and intimate moments.

What images do you want to remember and carry with you into the new year, from both your own life and the global experience?

Thanks for reading!

Your friends and fans,

Way Forth Collective

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