Help Your Credit Union Reach Out with These 15 Rules for E-mail Etiquette
E-mail is an incredibly popular way of communicating with other people, probably because it’s so fast and simple. For credit unions, e-mail represents a great way to touch base with existing members and reach out to potential ones.
Many credit unions still have a reputation for being stuck in the past. They are still strongly associated with an old-fashioned way of doing things. It’s, therefore, more important than ever to seize the opportunities that technology offers. By harnessing the potential of e-mail, it’s possible to create a positive impression of credit unions among the younger generation. It also opens a wealth of opportunities to target specific groups and provide information speedily in an accessible way.
Nevertheless, although it may seem easy to send out an e-mail, there are a surprising number of potential pitfalls. Knowing the basics of e-mail etiquette is essential if you want to achieve the right impression with the recipients.
With this in mind, here are 15 rules for e-mail etiquette that credit unions should remember when communicating with members.
1. Choose A Clear and Concise Subject Line
Perhaps the most important thing about any e-mail is its subject line. After all, the average American worker receives around 126 e-mails every day.
As you can see from the statistics above, people only open about a quarter of all the e-mails they receive. So, if you want your members to read your messages, you need to get the subject line right.
Most people will base their opinions on whether to open an e-mail solely on its subject line. The main reason for this is because most people are spending around 13 hours every week checking their mail. They just don’t have the time to spend perusing every message in detail.
How do you create the perfect subject line? It needs to be relevant and brief. Avoid obvious clickbait and use keywords that directly pertain to the e-mail’s contents. Don’t forget about the subject line, though. Many people will almost certainly overlook e-mails that have blank subject lines.
2. Address the Recipient Properly
Most people have sent e-mails to “Whom it may concern.” However, this is never a good choice for any credit union. This greeting gives an impersonal and even lazy impression of the organization. Identifying the recipient by name is always a better option.
Statistics show that people who receive e-mails with a personalized address line are 26 percent more likely to open them. However, keeping it formal is important for credit unions when addressing members, particularly if it’s the first encounter.
3. Welcome New Members
Welcome e-mails are among the most opened of all Internet messages.
This chart shows that, of all the e-mail types sent out, welcome e-mails have the highest open rate. It’s important for credit unions to harness that potential to reach out to members at the earliest stage. By greeting new members (or those who are interested in becoming members) in person, you can build a stronger relationship.
4. Remember Courtesy
Being courteous isn’t all about what it says in the body of the e-mail. It’s also about how you present the message. A person can potentially misinterpret any kind of written communication because of the lack of body language or expressions.
When the reader can’t hear the tone of voice intended, he or she may misread what you’re trying to say. Avoid any aggressive or excessive punctuation, such as exclamation points. Also, avoid typing words in all capital letters as, again, this comes across....-->
E-mail is an incredibly popular way of communicating with other people, probably because it’s so fast and simple. For credit unions, e-mail represents a great way to touch base with existing members and reach out to potential ones.