Have you ever received an email that seemed to go on and on, with no clear point in sight? It's enough to make anyone's eyes glaze over, and it's a surefire way to ensure your email gets sent straight to the trash folder.
That's where BLUF comes in - the Bottom Line Up Front.
This military-inspired tactic is all about getting to the point right away, so that your recipient knows exactly what you're asking of them.
So, how do you write a BLUF email?
It's simple, really. Start with a clear subject line that tells your recipient exactly what your email is about. Then, in the very first sentence of your email, get straight to the point.
Some quick tips -
➡ Make that subject line count
The Subject Line is Your First Impression!
Nail it with Clear, Actionable Language that Leaves ZERO Room for Confusion.
↔ INFO – No Need to Reply, Sit Back and Enjoy the Info.
↔ DECISION – This Request Comes with a Decision-Making Deadline
↔ ACTION – Means recipient needs to act (time sensitive in nature)
↔ SIGN – Put Your Signature Here, Please!
↔ REQUEST – Seeks approval or permission by the recipient.
↔ COORD – Means there needs to be coordination by the recipient
.......................................................
Email example -
Subject: ACTION – Permission to renew your contract
Hello Tom,
Bottom Line: Your contract is due for renewal at the end of this month. Can we proceed with a legal review or update?
Background: We addressed your concerns in our previous meeting, but we didn't hear back from your team.
Keeping this under your radar just to make sure. Thank you for your help!
Voila!!! 🙌
Remember, like pears, writing business emails requires a delicate balance: just the right amount of consistency to grab their attention, but not so much that you leave them feeling mushy. 😁
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