Efficiency and productivity are two watchwords for the busy thought leader. Here is a quick tip for making your emails have more impact and helping you get the results you want from them.

Every word should count when you write an email, and that includes the words in the subject line.

The chorus of the Frank Sinatra song ”Strangers in the Night” goes like this: ”Do, be, do, be, do…” That’s an important phrase to keep in mind when you write your next email. Tell your reader in the subject line what you want them to ”do” or ”be” after reading the email.

Label the email subject line with the word ”Action” followed by a short summary of what’s required and when it’s needed. Lead with a verb. Make it brief.

 That puts the most important message upfront so that the reader will know what’s expected. It also leaves the action you’re requesting and the deadline visible in the recipient’s inbox.

When all employees in a company use ”Action” subject lines, they can sort their inboxes so that the email requests are clearly separated from the informational ones, which makes it easier to prioritize the emails.

In an interesting article about effective email subject lines, the author recommends a program called MailChimp’s subject line suggester to generate ideas for clever, attention-grabbing headings to pep up your emails. Another short article recounts an amusing story of an email subject line ”gone awry.” If you have any other examples of funny subject lines, share them in the comments, or contact us here.

Are you using the most efficient and effective rhetorical approaches in your everyday writing situations? Ask, assess, then act. We’re here to help!