How to give an order in an email

We all have too much email. It's not enough to ask somebody to do something in email any more, because

1: They may be too busy/distracted to read it and realize that they were supposed to take some action
2: You may get too busy to remember that you asked somebody to do something via email, and the deadline may pass before you remember

This article will give you a simple system for ensuring that your instructions get followed.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A decent Email program that can flag emails for later viewing

1. Make the subject of the email very specific to what you want. You can include the deadline in the subject if it doesn't make the subject too long.

2. An email that is giving an order needs to have:
   
   1. The specific order that you're giving. BE SPECIFIC! USE BULLETS! ONE BULLET PER ORDER!
   2. A deadline. This will help the person prioritize against their other work.
   3. A (short!) list of consequences of what will happen if the work doesn't get done. Or, the reason you're asking for this to get done.
   4. A "thank you"

3. Things to avoid:
   While reviewing your email, look for "fluff". Human beings often write a lot of extra junk in their email in an attempt to look friendly. This has the effect of hiding what you really want. You'll find it in paragraphs above and below your point. Delete them!

4. Copy YOURSELF on the email. That way you'll be able to flag it for follow-up a day from now, a week from now, whatever is appropriate for the deadline.

5. FOLLOW UP if you do not get a response within 48 hours. Even if your project or assignment is supposed to take weeks or months, FOLLOW UP either in email or in person if the email didn't get responded to. That's what the flags are for in your email.
   
   Remember, orders or assignments go like this:
   
   1. Give order
   2. Get acknowledgment
   3. Get status report that the work was done
   4. Evaluate if the work was done correctly
   
   This applies for EVERYTHING in business. Even the simplest stuff benefits from following this model.

6. The THANK YOU at the end is the most important part of the email. You are thanking them in advance for the work they're about to do for you.
   
   Those two words eliminate the need for any fluff in your email. And, in today's fast-paced email world, they'll also appreciate that you made your email brief and concise!

Tips & Warnings

• Make your email BRIEF. You don't need a lot of background when giving instructions.
• Make sure that your instructions are HIGHLIGHTED in your email.