Because I seldom use e-mail in business, being retired, I almost decided not to purchase the Kindle version of this book by Gisela Hausmann because I assumed it didn't apply to me. Much of it doesn't, but it certainly applies to the majority of people in the modern working environment and I read it from that perspective. Given that, however, I also saw many references I might have seen 20 or 30 years ago related to writing business letters and how to present one's self so that you are noticed among all the others who are also sending letters and, these days, e-mails. In this respect, this is an essential book for those who need to send and receive e-mails related to their positions or when applying for positions.
She describes the importance of being unique while also being friendly, personal and clear. She emphasizes the necessity of keeping the e-mails relatively short, so a recipient is not discouraged from reading it in the first place. She advises reading e-mails aloud before clicking on "send," since this is an effective tool for recognizing if it works or doesn't work and helps fortify the fact that this replaces a face-to-face meeting, with the writer wanting the same effect that would produce.
I especially enjoyed her samples of good and bad e-mails. Some are so ludicrous that you wonder how these people are making it in the real world (maybe they aren't) but her samples clearly illustrate through humor that bad e-mails in particular will get the writers nowhere except into the recipient's trash, without being read. Some of them clearly are the result of the writer's attempt at humor that falls flat and if they were face-to-face with the recipient, they'd probably never even attempt that - or would be given a quick handshake and goodbye.
One piece of advice by Gisela that particularly stood out for me is that the writer absolutely must spell the recipient's name correctly. As someone who has constantly had to spell her last name and who has had to inform telemarketers and others how to pronounce her last name, and that her first name begins with a C, not a K, I am very sensitive to this issue. If someone misspells or mispronounces my name, particularly after I have corrected them, I completely lose interest in them, and Gisela points out that this is true in the e-mail world, as well. If you can't be bothered to spell the name correctly, be assured you won't have your e-mail read. She does mention in one instance that a writer almost immediately, upon realizing his misspelling, e-mailed her again, acknowledging his mistake and apologizing for it; this made up for his error and put him into a more positive light.
Included in this topic are misspellings in general and typos within the body of e-mails, and it may be the only place where I disagree with Gisela. I am afraid I am somewhat of a grammar and spelling snob and if I see one or the other, I assume someone hasn't taken the time to utilize spell check or grammar check and I therefore decide they aren't worth reading (in my case, it involves sales pitches through e-mail or even postings on social media). She, however, does not feel as strongly as I and says the message is more important than the misspellings and typos; in this day and age, maybe that's true for most people.
Other than that, this is an extremely helpful book for those who may need the inspiration, support and guidance of someone who clearly understands the effects of the written word, as well as the importance of putting one's self "out there." She writes well, uses great samples, and is remarkably assertive and encouraging in her writing. I highly recommend this book.
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Reviews with images
5 Stars for Naked Words 2.0!
Gisela's book is short, sweet and to the point about effectively reaching out to people through email! I'm slightly embarrassed to admit I was guilty of some of the infractions noted in this great resource, but since reading it, and applying it to my email, I've seen increases in responses, and less emails back and forth because my emails are written clearly and concisely, getting the point across quickly and succinctly!
Top reviews from other countries
Kenna McKinnon
Gisela Hausmann is the email guru, get this book!
Reviewed in Canada on April 4, 2016
F Reavley
So applicable in today's working life
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 25, 2016
