Month: July 2016

At Workplace

Don’t Abuse Your Email And Others

JoyceLeave a comment

Email is a very commonly used communication tool in work place and personal life. It is fast and convenient. That’s why it is way too easy to abuse it. I am not a writing expert here, and not even close to it, but I have basic writing skills and common sense (I think it is common sense, but it isn’t obviously…). Several times, I found myself so surprised about how people wrote their emails, not enough information (so I had to write back to ask), or too much information (which I didn’t have to know), or too messy (couldn’t find the point), or too vague (not direct to the point). I don’t want to mention misspelling or grammar mistakes here, those are secondary as I see.

To keep your email clear and try not to waste other people’s time, please:

Think first before you write. Even though you only need to write as simple as a 2 sentences reminder or notice, take a quick 10 seconds to think about what information you will need to include to avoid confusion. Read at least one time before you send out. It is the first step to avoid a lot of back-and-forth.

Add subject line and put keywords. It’s so easy to forget a subject line when you try to send a quick email. Spending 3 seconds to write the subject line with keywords <!–more–> (e.g. “Halloween party photos”, “Amy’s baby shower reminder”, etc.) will save your reader’s time when she selects emails to open and searches the email in the future.

Add hyperlinks if you need to direct your reader to somewhere. Don’t assume your reader know where the information is. Don’t say things like “Find the baby registry on Target and Babiesrus” without adding the link. First, the reader has to search “baby registry on Target” on Google, then click the link, then enter the new mom’s name, then guess who the correct one is if there are several same names there. Rule of the thumb, DON’T make your reader think and do extra stuff. Take the extra step to include the link. Your email will be much appreciated.

Bottom line, keep your email as simple and clear as possible. Don’t make your reader think!

Marketing

“Buy One Get Second One Half Off” Still Works

JoyceLeave a comment

Today my mom and I went shopping for shoes. We were in a shoes store and about to pay for my mom’s walking shoes. The cashier told us, today they ran “buy one get the second one half off” promotion. She asked if we wanted a second pair. Honestly, I usually ignore this kind of promotion, but I did need a pair of sandals, so I turned back and looked…I didn’t realize we’ve spent quite some time in the store to look for shoes for my mom, if something met my need, I should have found it before we walked to the cashier. No surprise, I couldn’t find anything, but I spent another 5-10 minutes in the store to try on shoes.

When I went back to the cashier, there was a long line. Everyone was carrying at least 2 shoe boxes. Even though I knew those marketing tricks, still couldn’t avoid it. “Buy one get the second one half off” is commonly used, and kind of old fashion, but still tempting and obviously working.

 

 

Marketing

Choose A Book By Its Cover

JoyceLeave a comment

Do you judge a book by its cover? Yes I do. Well, to be more precise, I choose a book by its cover. I usually pick the book that has pretty or interesting cover/name on the bookshelf first when I am in a bookstore.

One day last week when I wandered in a bookstore, I found a book that had a pretty girl on the cover. I picked it up. The book has an interesting title “In order to live”. I opened and read the introduction, then I realized this is a sad and inspiring story about a brave young girl and her mom, who escaped from N. Korea to seek freedom. I liked the book immediately and found it available in the public library. I reserved it right away.

I believe I am not the only one, who picks a book by its cover. It doesn’t mean that this book is better written than the others. It is just because it has a pretty cover, so it has a higher chance to be picked, to be read, and to be reviewed, and all these would definitely help its book sales. In my case, I didn’t buy the book, but I am writing a blog post about it.

Similar to product, service, even professionals who work in their industries, the “cover” is important.