Often in my line of work I end up working with other service providers on behalf of my client or in tandem with them. And it’s great, I get to make a lot of connections with people and it’s a part of my job that I enjoy, and that my clients often appreciate me taking off their plate. Lately, I’ve had a few of these fellow providers who are a little too casual for me. Yes me, the one who talks about The Walking Dead, my dog and beer WAY too often. So you know if I’m talking about this, it must be an issue.
Today I received an email where a person I have NEVER met (but have had to nag a bit to get what I need from them) sent me what I needed with “Here’s the info love“. Huh? I wouldn’t call my husband love in an email (we’re just not mushy that way), let alone a person I’ve had 3 email interactions with. It was weird.
Another service provider I’ve worked with for a couple of clients often send me lots of XOXO’s in emails and similar casual interaction. I just met this person last week in person after 3 months of email, and she is definitely the kind of person to do that, and now that we’ve met and worked together a while, it’s OK, but at first it was a little surprising.
I know that I am casual and what you see is what you get, but I also try to pay attention to who I am talking to in an email and our familiarity (and yes, I did give Vegas recommendations to a client last week and beer recommendations to another client). KNOW your audience, there’s nothing wrong with being more conservative in your email until you really know the person.
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