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codemaxxing.io

started by Marlow and Angus

Notes14

note 14

Good emails

The subject line is the email. Write it so someone knows what this is, and what you need, before they open it.

  1. 01

    Say it in the subject

    Name the thing. Name the ask. Add the one detail that changes the answer — a day, a time, a link.

    “Can I miss Thursday practice? Doctor at 2pm” is a subject. “Hey”, “Quick question”, and “Following up” are labels. They could be any email in the inbox.

  2. 02

    A first email stands alone

    A first email has to make sense with no other conversation next to it. No call, no chat, nothing you said yesterday. If this message is all they have, they should know what you mean. “The thing we talked about” fails that. Say what the thing is.

  3. 03

    A reply can be short

    A reply already has a subject and a thread. You do not write the first email again. Answer what they asked. “Yes. See you Friday.” is a whole reply. Short is fine. Skipping the answer is not.

04

Marked up

Green circles are the part doing the job. Red circles are the part that makes them guess. The note in the margin points at the mark.

These work

First email · a request

good

ToCoach Lee

SubjectGood mark 1: Can I miss Thursday practice? Doctor at 2pmMark 1

Hi Coach,

I have a Good mark 2: doctor appointment at 2pm on Thursday,Mark 2 so I can't make practice. I'll be back Friday.

Good mark 3: Is that ok?Mark 3

Marlow

First email · sending work

good

ToAngus

SubjectGood mark 1: Login is up — can you try it?Mark 1

The login page is live at Good mark 2: codemaxxing.io/login.Mark 2

Open it, sign in, and Good mark 3: tell me if the button does nothing.Mark 3

Marlow

Reply

good

SubjectGood mark 1: Re: Can I miss Thursday practice? Doctor at 2pmMark 1

Good mark 2: Yes. See you Friday.Mark 2

These don't

First email · subject says nothing

bad

ToCoach Lee

SubjectBad mark 1: HeyMark 1

Hey, can we do Bad mark 2: the thing?Mark 2

Bad mark 3: Let me know.Mark 3

First email · assumes a conversation

bad

ToAngus

SubjectBad mark 1: Following upMark 1

Just circling back on Bad mark 2: our chat.Mark 2

I think we should go with Bad mark 3: the other one.Mark 3

Reply · skips the answer

bad

SubjectRe: Login is up — can you try it?

Bad mark 1: Thanks so much, this is awesome! Let me know if you need anything else.Mark 1

If you only fix one line, fix the subject. The rest of the email gets easier once that line is true.