Stop Writing 'Please Find Attached': Modern Business Email Etiquette

We send 300 billion emails a day. Most of them are ignored. Why? Because they are too long, too vague, or too rude.

1. The Subject Line is Everything

Don't write "Hello" or "Urgent." Be specific.

• Bad: "Meeting"
• Good: "Meeting Request: Project X Update (Tue, 2 PM?)"

2. The BLUF Method (Bottom Line Up Front)

Don't bury the lead. State your request in the first sentence. Executives read emails on their phones while walking to a meeting. They don't have time to scroll.

3. Stop Using These Phrases

• "Please find attached": It sounds like 1990. Say "I've attached the report."
• "Hope you are doing well": It's filler. Skip it or make it personal ("Hope you enjoyed your vacation").
• "Sorry for the delay": Don't apologize unless necessary. Say "Thanks for your patience."

4. The "Call to Action" (CTA)

End every email with a clear next step. "Let me know what you think" is vague. "Can you approve this by Friday?" is clear.

5. Reply All: The Nuclear Option

Only use "Reply All" if everyone on the thread needs to know. Otherwise, you are just spamming inboxes.

Pro Tip: If an email thread goes back and forth more than 3 times, pick up the phone. It saves time.