Writing Clear Email Updates

If you're embarking on a big initiative in 2025, be it professional or personal, I strongly recommend sending a monthly update (even if you're literally just emailing yourself). Here's the exact structure I've used for a few years: Context I send a monthly update to Ethena's investors. While I'm contractually obligated to do this, it's a phenomenal exercise because I'm forced to zoom out and assess progress. The monthly cadence is perfect because it's enough time for there to be something significant to say, but not so frequent that it becomes a burden. Structure 1. The TLDR/summary. No more than 3 bullet points summarizing what I think the biggest developments are. This is fuzzy and based totally on my intuition. 2. The metrics. These *have* to be the same metrics every month. I report on 8 key metrics and if I ever change a metric, I force myself to explain why I'm changing, say, how we calculate gross dollar retention. This builds accountability. 3. Team updates. It always sounds corny, but people will make or break your goal. While this is obviously true in business, I'd argue it's true even in personal goal setting. Want to get fit? You'll need to find the right coach. So I write what's going well (and not), and what open roles we have. 4. Biggest challenge. 2-3 sentences on whatever is hardest. 5. Asks. I ask my investors for help every single month. 6. Thanks. I thank everyone who did something in the past month. This is really important! It builds gratitude and people like being seen for their contributions. One last thing I do before I send an update is I read my previous month's. It helps me to see the through line and also, it's nice to see progress so concretely. I hope you read all the things/lift all the weights/accomplish whatever it is you're excited to tackle in 2025! And LMK if you think my update is missing something.

𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬: 𝐦𝐲 𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. I didn’t realize how many problems were coming from “okay” emails until I started working on fast-moving projects. Delays, confusion, back-and-forth, most of it wasn’t complexity. It was unclear communication. So I started using a simple structure that works almost every time. Here’s the template: 📍Start with context (1–2 lines): Why are you writing this email? “Following up on our discussion on X…” “Sharing an update on Y…” This aligns the reader instantly. 📍State the purpose clearly What do you want from this email? “Objective: Finalize vendor selection for Phase 1.” No guessing. No ambiguity. 📍Add key points (3–5 bullets max) Only what matters. • Current status • Key issue/blocker • Relevant data/decision point If it’s longer, it’s not clear enough. 📍Call out the action required This is where most emails fail. “Action required: Please confirm Option A or B by EOD Friday.” Be specific on who, what, and by when. 📍Close with clarity, not politeness fluff Avoid: “Let me know your thoughts.” Instead: “Once confirmed, we will proceed with implementation.” This one change reduced back-and-forth significantly for me. Because most communication problems aren’t about intelligence. They’re about structure. People don’t need more information. They need clarity on what matters and what to do next. Before sending your next email, ask yourself: Can someone read this in 30 seconds and know exactly what to do? If not, rewrite it. #Communication #Productivity #WorkplaceSkills #Consulting #ProfessionalGrowth #CareerTips #EmailWriting

Getting Email Etiquette Right: Clear, Neuroinclusive Communication Email can be a minefield—too short and it seems abrupt, too long and it’s overwhelming. Have you read into an email and thought it was rude, abrupt or said something completely different to what it actually said? Did you find it hard to know what to do next? For some neurodivergent people, unclear language, implied meanings, or hidden expectations can make emails a source of stress. Here’s how to keep communication clear and more neuroinclusive: Be direct, not vague – Say what you mean. Instead of “Let’s catch up soon,” try “Are you free on Thursday at 2 PM for a 15-minute call?” Avoid reading between the lines – Not everyone picks up on subtle cues. If you need something, state it explicitly rather than hinting. Structure matters – Use bullet points, short paragraphs, and clear subject lines to make emails easier to process. Clarity over politeness overload – While greetings and sign-offs are important, excessive niceties (“Just checking in, hope you’re well, no rush but…”) can dilute the key message. Set expectations – If a response is needed, say when: “Please reply by Wednesday.” If not urgent, make that clear to reduce pressure. Neuroinclusive emails benefit everyone—less stress, fewer misunderstandings, and clearer communication. What would you add to the list?

How to Write Clear, Concise Emails That Get Quick Responses in IB In investment banking, emails are execution tools. A poorly written email slows deals down, confuses teams, and makes senior bankers ignore you. A sharp, to-the-point email gets quick responses and builds trust fast. Here’s how to master it: Step 1: Write a Subject Line That Gets Noticed Bad: “Question” → Too vague. Good: “Action Needed: Model Adjustments for XYZ Deal” → Clear, urgent, actionable. If it’s truly urgent, add “(Time-Sensitive)” or “(EOD Action Required)” in the subject. Step 2: Get to the Point in the First Line Senior bankers skim emails. The first line should tell them exactly why you’re emailing. - Bad: “Hope you’re doing well. Just following up regarding the model updates we discussed yesterday. Wanted to check if you had any inputs before we proceed further.” - Good: “Attached is the updated model for XYZ. Key changes: [1] Revised revenue assumptions, [2] Updated comps. Let me know if this works or if any refinements are needed.” The first two sentences should make sense even if the recipient doesn’t read the rest. Step 3: Use Bullet Points, Not Paragraphs IB rule: No one has time for long blocks of text. Bad: "The attached file contains the updated valuation comps. We revised the EBITDA multiples to reflect recent market movements, and the P/E ratios have been adjusted as well. The deal team may want to review these adjustments before sending them to the client. Please review and let me know your thoughts." Good: "Attached: Updated valuation comps. Key changes: - EBITDA multiples adjusted for recent market trends - P/E ratios revised based on latest earnings data - Ready for client review—flag if any adjustments needed." Bullet points keep emails skimmable and actionable. Step 4: Always Clarify Action Items & Deadlines Every email should end with clarity on next steps. Bad: “Let me know what you think.” Good: “Please review and send feedback by 3 PM so we can incorporate changes before the client call.” If no response is needed, say so. Example: “For reference—no action required.” Step 5: Keep It Professional & Error-Free - Check for typos (F7 in Outlook for spell check) - No unnecessary “Just following up…”—get to the point - End with a strong closing: “Let me know if you need any refinements.” A Good Email = Faster Deals, Fewer Mistakes Follow Pratik - for investment banking careers and education

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒊𝒍 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒔 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈. 𝑵𝒐 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒊𝒕. A VP sent a detailed project update. Every risk analyzed. Every dependency mapped. Response? Silence. Two days later: "So… what do you need?", asked the leadership team. She tried again. Three sentences this time: "Project delayed 2 weeks—vendor issue. Need legal approval by Friday to stay on track. Can you help?" One hour later: approvals, solutions, momentum. 𝘚𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘨𝘦. 𝘋𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺. 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦. 𝑪𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒔𝒏'𝒕 𝒔𝒂𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔. 𝑰𝒕'𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔𝒏'𝒕 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒆. Research indicates that poor communication in organizations drives costly delays, employee burnout, and significant productivity losses. 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒇𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒔 𝒂 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝒇𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒖𝒓𝒆. When people don't understand you, they can't follow you. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑻𝒉𝒓𝒆𝒆-𝑳𝒂𝒚𝒆𝒓 𝑻𝒆𝒔𝒕 Before you hit send, ask: 𝟏. 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞: Why does this matter? (One sentence.) 𝟐. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞: Context → Key Point → What I Need. 𝟑. 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐠𝐞: Could a 12-year-old understand this? 🎯 𝘐𝘧 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯'𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘮𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘯'𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥—𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘷𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘦𝘥. 𝑻𝒉𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝑻𝒓𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒔 𝑨𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝑪𝒍𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒚 → Complexity doesn't equal competence. Simple is smarter. → Brevity is respect. Clarity is care. → If they're confused, you failed. Not them. 𝑹𝒆𝒇𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕: -->What's one message you're overcomplicating right now? Strip it to one sentence. Then send that. Next week in 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑰𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒓 𝑬𝒅𝒈𝒆: we will discuss 𝑭𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌 — how to give it so it lands, not wounds. 💬 𝑫𝒓𝒐𝒑 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒎𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒅𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏. 𝑳𝒆𝒕'𝒔 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓. 𝘗.𝘚. 𝘞𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘭𝘺? → Subscribe to 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑰𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒓 𝑬𝒅𝒈𝒆 by clicking https://lnkd.in/gi-u8ndJ #TheInnerEdge #ClearCommunication #TeamLeadership

Silence is deadlier than bugs in IT. So here's my 5-part framework to keep clients happy. In IT, people think the biggest sin is missing a deadline. It’s not. It’s disappearing. No update. No email. No, "this might take longer than planned." Silence turns small delays into big problems. • It breeds assumptions • Assumptions turn into frustration • Frustration kills trust I’ve seen projects slip by two months, and the client still walked away happy. Not because the work was perfect. But because every week, they knew exactly what was going on. And people in IT know problems happen. • Servers crash • Timelines shift • Code breaks But communication is the difference between a frustrated client and a loyal one. And silence kills faster than any missed deadline ever will. Now, if you want my communication framework, here's what I recommend to people: 1// Set Communication Expectations Upfront • Define channels: 2–3 preferred methods (email for formal updates, Slack for quick questions, weekly calls for big discussions) • Set response times: “Emails within 24 hours, urgent issues within 4 hours” • Create update schedules: Weekly reports, bi-weekly demos, or milestone check-ins, but make it consistent 2// Be Proactive In Communication • Update before you’re asked, even “everything’s on track” matters • Flag problems early: “This might take an extra day because of X” • Explain the “why” behind updates and changes 3// Translate Technical into Human • Avoid jargon overload • Use analogies: “Like traffic on a highway - too many requests are slowing it down” • Focus on impact: “Making the app load 50% faster for your users” 4// Build Trust Through Transparency • Own the problems: “Here’s what went wrong and here’s our fix” • Provide realistic timelines, under-promise, over-deliver • Show your work: Screenshots, videos, or live demos 5// Listen as Much as You Talk • Ask clarifying questions • Acknowledge concerns • Adapt your style to the client And beyond this, here's what else I recommend you can do: a) This Week: • Define communication channels and response times • Create a simple weekly update template (3 bullet points) • Choose a project management tool with client visibility b) This Month: • Share client communication guidelines with your team • Practice explaining services without jargon • Set up automated project updates c) This Quarter: • Survey clients on communication preferences • Train your team on best practices • Build protocols into onboarding Ultimately, the best IT founders don’t just build great products. They build great relationships. And relationships are built on great communication. Start treating communication as seriously as you treat your code. Your clients will notice the difference. --- ✍ Tell me below: When was the last time proactive communication saved you from a client blow-up?

You sent the PERFECT email (with SMYKM, of course!)  Buyer responds with: "Thanks for the personalized note, but we are happy with our current solution." Most sellers: “May I ask what your current solution is?” Gartner data tells us that 75% of buyers don't want to talk with a salesperson. Why? Buyers often associate salespeople with being pushy, using aggressive tactics to pursue their own agenda rather than guiding buyers toward the best solution for their needs. This means that it is very unlikely that your buyer is going to volunteer more information in this scenario that could set them up for an interrogation. So, they don't respond, rep wastes tons of time following up, and there is no meeting. Here is our 4-step move as an alternative: 1️⃣ Acknowledge and accept. This can be something very simple like saying “thank you.” They took the time to reply to you, so be polite and tell them you appreciate it. You’ll stand out from the “pushy” salespeople they have dealt with. 2️⃣ Polite pushback. If it’s an objection you don't agree with, offer a POV (show your value!) that might get them to say, 'Hummm… I never thought of it that way" and potentially be interested in learning more. “One thought I wanted to share is that many of our customers who handled this internally came to us as they found X challenging.  Here is how we solved that." 3️⃣ Nurture with no other CTA. Instead of saying “soooo, you want a meeting now?” Be more buyer-forward with something like: "In any event, I'd love to stay in touch and might pop a few things your way over the months. If I can do anything to be of help here or otherwise, please don't hesitate to shout!" 4️⃣ Connect with them on LinkedIn. You put in the work to start a conversation with the buyer - now play the long game by connecting on LinkedIn! "I wanted to connect to say thank you again for taking the time to reply to my email. Would love to stay in touch in case things change or I can be of help to you otherwise down the line."

How the military writes emails: I served in the Navy. And I learned a few tactics that changed how I approach email at work. The secret? Let's call it military precision. In the military, precision isn't just about the drill. It's about how folks communicate: Everything from mission briefings to day-to-day emails. Here's the breakdown: - BLUF: Bottom Line Up Front ↳ Always start with your main point. - Start emails with action-oriented subject lines ↳ e.g., "INFO: Q4 Sales Report" or "REVIEW: Client Proposal Due 12/15" - Use Active voice and BE direct ↳ "The team completed the project" is leagues better than "The project was completed by the team" - Follow the 1 idea per paragraph rule ↳ (It really forces you to be clear and concise) - Use bullet points where possible ↳ The bullet points aren't just a layout choice. They force you to be concise. Here's the result: Faster responses. Quicker decision-making. Clearer communication. This approach wasn't just about being formal. It's about getting things done. Whether it's a military mission or a corporate task... Clear and decisive communication wins the day, every time. Try it and see what difference it makes. What’s your take on effective email communication? Any protocols that give consistent results? ♻ Repost to help folks in your network email with military precision. ➕ Follow Kabir Sehgal for daily tips on growth, productivity, & building your portfolio career.

Have you ever sent an email and instantly wished you could take it back? Priya did. Fresh out of college, two weeks into her first job, she sent a department-wide email with the subject line “URGENT NEED YOUR HELP!!!” The CEO was copied too. That one email changed how people saw her. But it also became the start of her biggest learning curve. In three months, she went from being the intern everyone pitied to the team member trusted with client communication. Here is what she learned about writing professional emails that actually work: 1. Tone matters. All caps and too many exclamation marks do not show urgency. They show panic. How you write is how people hear you. 2. Attach before you write. Add the file first, then type your message. It is the simplest way to avoid the classic mistake of forgetting the attachment. 3. Check before hitting Reply All. One careless click can embarrass you in front of the entire company. Always double-check who is receiving your message. 4. Write clear subject lines. “Need your input by 3 PM today” is better than “Hello.” Be specific. It helps others prioritise and respond faster. 5. Proofread every word. Names, dates, and grammar reflect your attention to detail. Read your email aloud. If it sounds wrong, it probably is. 6. Keep it short. Most professionals skim. Make your point in the first few lines. Use short paragraphs or bullet points. 7. Be polite but firm. “Could you please” gets better results than “You missed the deadline.” It is not about being soft. It is about being professional. Priya did not just learn to write better emails. She learned how clarity builds trust and how respect earns attention. Every email you send either strengthens your reputation or weakens it. The next time you hit send, remember this. Your words carry your voice even when you are not in the room. ♻️ If this resonated with you, please share it with others in your network.

Struggling to convert cold email replies to meetings? After you pick up the phone and call them, book mark these example replies: Here's 3 reply scenarios: 👉 Scenario 1: Interesting, but delegated 🙌 Scenario 1: Response From Prospect — Hey Will, great email. Seems interesting. You should reach out to Susan in RevOps. — 🤔 Scenario 1: The Curious Reply — Guessing that’s because Susan runs tooling? Can do — though I usually work closely with sales leadership as we get closer to a decision. No stranger to RevOps, just wanted to make sure I understood. Mind making an intro? I can also add her to the thread if easier. — ✍ Why does it work? This approach: -Opens the door to deeper context -Clarifies how decisions are made -Creates a natural next step (looping in Susan) -If you don’t get a reply, then it’s natural to add Susan yourself. Ok... next situation 👉 Scenario 2: “Not Interested” Not every response will be positive. Unless they just say “unsubscribe” there’s an opportunity to dig deeper. 🙌 Scenario 2: Prospect Reply — Great email, but not a good time right now. Thanks. — This often gets marked as “Not Interested.” That’s a mistake. 🤔 Scenario 2: The Curious Reply — Mind sharing why? Usually when teams are ramping, we see enablement gaps show up in writing data. Is email not a big part of pipeline generation? Or is the team not tweaking templates much? If it makes sense to talk to someone closer to the work, let me know — and feel free to tell me I’m totally missing the mark. — ✍ Why does it work? This won’t always get a response. But, when it does, you learn a lot: -How they think about your category -Where objections actually live -How to tailor future conversations -Even silence here can still make you better on the next outreach. Ok... let's talk about a more positive reply 👉 Scenario 3: Scheduling Sometimes things move fast. But, how you respond matters! 🙌 Scenario 3: Prospect Reply — Interesting email. Let’s find some time next week. — 🤔 Scenario 3: The “Triple Option” (Preferred) — Great. Including some time windows below (Eastern): Monday: 1:00–1:30, 3:00–3:30 Tuesday: 10:30, 4:30–5:00 Anyone else I should include on the invite? Including my calendar link if easier — happy to use yours if you prefer. P.S. Anything from my email you want to make sure we cover? I can prep an agenda. — ✍ Why does this work? -Gives time options -Offers flexibility -Encourages collaboration -Gathers intel before the call The questions increase your odds of multi-threading and walking into the meeting prepared. 🧵 What's the common thread in these replies? You ask questions! The data shows most threads die because you aren't asking questions. 25-50% more replies... by just asking questions What reply scenarios did I miss? If you want to see some common missteps check out our latest blog on how to convert more replies to meetings. I'll map out some options for you