Getting to the Point: Ideas to fix (and first aid) the curse of the long email

It's that time of year again.

Teachers and administrators are settling into routines, procedures, staff meetings...and long winded school emails.

Long emails full of details can be such a burden. Yes, you need the information, but what you really care is how it is going to impact you.

As a part of my job I send and receive lengthy emails on a daily basis.

Here are two ideas, one for sending, and one for receiving long emails.

When you HAVE to send a LONG email...

• Create a Summary as an email header
• Include a graphic as a header (easy to create in Canva) with a summary or highlights of the information being presented in the email. 
• If the receiver wants more information include the details down below, but, if not, you have caught him/her up on key action items as soon as he/she opens their inbox.

 

Here's a template! Feel free to copy and use-- Simply create a text box in the right hand area to type your summary. 

When you receive a LOOOOOONG email...

Think about using a tool like SMMRY (https://smmry.com). Copy and paste in the text of your long email and watch as SMMRY shortens the content down to a shortened summary for which you can adjust the length. 

While it may not be ideal for every email, this simple tool may be a time saver on days where time is at a premium.