Want monthly tips LIKE THIS?
Enter your email below!
5 Tips to Get An Email Response
You know that feeling when someone just doesn't email you back? The least they could do is let you know they got it, or what they are doing to answer your questions, or some sign of life. It should be a common courtesy as a person or working professional to answer someone when they contact you. If you were talking to someone face-to-face, imagine if they just didn't answer you... like if they just stared at you.
How awkward would that be?
Well, you're not weird for thinking people should have the respect to respond to you. Again, they shouldn't always have to answer you immediately or have the solution ready to go, BUT they definitely should respond in some way. Here's a few tips to help you get responses from those chronic "email ghosters."
Ask them: "Have you given up on this project?"
By putting that phrase out there, it makes it clear that you have placed that person in the category of "unreliable people." Nobody wants to be thought of as "unreliable." When you call them out on giving up, it almost always results in a response. Give this a whirl after 2 non-responses. It has a high success rate.
Copy their subordinate.
By putting their staff as a CC on an email, often the staff will see that their boss is causing a communication problem, and they will talk with their boss to get things moving. Or sometimes they will just respond on their boss's behalf.
Copy their superior.
Nobody wants to be ratted out to their boss for underperforming, so you might consider just mentioning something like: "hey, I noticed you must be a bit too busy to respond, so I will try reaching out to your manager, Cindy, tomorrow to see if we can make some headway." By mentioning the superior by name, it shows that you are serious, so they are likely to jump in and respond in some way. If they still don't respond, then actually contact their superior.
Cite the time lapse.
By listing out the time that has passed since you originally emailed someone, they may gain a better perspective of their own lack of responsiveness. People get busy and may lose track. This subtle reminder might cause them to spring into action. You can also list any required deadlines, or in the case of public officials, any statutory time limits where they are actually required to respond.
Jokes.
Yep, that's right. Leave a joke-of-the-day in the email. One of my clients recommended this to me, and I have had great success using it. There are tons of joke lists online if you search. By starting follow-up emails with a joke-of-the-day each day, at least you are providing some sort of entertainment, and the reader may actually look forward to reading the message just to see the corny joke. It may at least keep you on top of their mind, and in the top of their inbox. Here's a few to get you started:
What do you get when you combine a porcupine and a turtle?
A slowpoke.
Who was the roundest knight at King Arthur's table?
Sir Cumference.
What do you call two men on the wall above the window?
Kurt and Rod.
What kind of shorts do clouds wear?
Thunderpants.
Why are the middle ages sometimes called the Dark Ages?
Because they had so many knights.
Why did the football coach shake the vending machine?
Because he needed a quarterback.
How do you know if you are a pirate?
You just arrrrr.
What kind of shoes do ninjas wear?
Sneakers!
Why did the Banker quit his job?
He lost interest!
What did 0 say to 8?
Nice belt!
How does NASA organize a party?
They planet.
There you have it!
We've used these tactics for years at Josh Architects with great results. Now go out there and
track down those email ghosters!