Email is one of the most highly used modes of communication in the business world today. Some people love it, some people hate it, but everyone has to use it. In day-to-day dealings, it can sometimes be easy to forget about the person on the other end of the email. Developing the proper tone and familiarity level, while keeping the message short, sweet and to the point, takes practice. Learning how to craft emails that will benefit your business and build powerful connections is an invaluable skill. The effectiveness of the message comes down to the design.

Working on becoming a better and more thoughtful writer will help you get more out of your email communications. Understanding the person on the receiving end of the email is one of the most pivotal components to developing lasting relationships. Let’s take a look at some of the ways to build relationship capital and use email to your best advantage in business.

Building Relationship Capital:

The best relationships, in business or in life, are built on a foundation of giving. Don’t only email when you want something. When cultivating a rapport with someone, you must plant seeds of good will before you expect to harvest rewards. Whether you are dealing with contacts, associates or clients, it is important to differentiate yourself from the crowd by establishing the things you can offer that give you an edge – your distinctive value. In order to learn how best to provide value, you need to understand the other person by getting to know them personally.

In the beginning stages of a business relationship you must listen more than you talk. This task can prove difficult for some sales people, but it is essential. Learning about their pain points in business, the organizations they belong to, and their interests and hobbies is only possible by letting the other person do most of the talking. The valuable knowledge gleaned from early conversations will help you to incorporate personal touches into your email interactions. Understanding what type of content would benefit the other party is the key to building valuable connections.

Providing someone with current news, valuable knowledge or any information that would be of interest to them may seem like a small gift, but will go a long way towards building relationship capital. Any time you send an email of this nature to a contact, you will be brought to the forefront of the recipient’s mind. It will also ensure they know you are thinking about them and going out of your way to provide value to them. Adding value without looking for something in return will foster trust and encourage your connections to look for an opportunity to return the favor.

Orchestrating Thoughtful Introductions:

Making introductions within your network can put you in a position of influence and help add value to your existing relationships. However, it is critically important to remember that your connections all have one thing in common. They are busy. If the recipient needs to search for additional information after reading an email introduction, they are left with a burden instead of a gift. In turn, they will be more likely to discard the email. Taking the time to carefully construct an introduction between two people is essential to avoid making any of the involved parties feel as though their time is being wasted.

The introduction being made should be chosen carefully to benefit both parties and the email itself should be thoughtfully crafted to capture the reader’s attention. Be sure to explain why you believe the two people should connect and how they might be able to help one another. Also, explain any relevant background information about both parties. Including details about job titles, the companies they work for and their location is a must, but taking the time to brag a little about them is also a great idea. This extra touch of personalization will warm up a basic introduction, and will demonstrate how much you admire each person.

When facilitating an introduction between two parties, you should think of yourself as a host. Prepare a detailed yet succinct message, and anticipate the needs or questions the person receiving the email might have in order to ensure the introduction will be well received. Include all of the necessary information so they want for nothing. Doing this will make them feel taken care of and appreciated. Taking advantage of an opportunity to make someone else’s life a little better is a great feeling, and can yield positive results in the long run.

As you cultivate your business relationships, be sure that proper thought and preparation goes into every email you send to your connections. Taking the time to understand and look out for the needs of all of your business associates is the key to building reciprocal relationships. Incorporating these tips and tricks for crafting valuable emails into your daily business interactions will make you stand out from the crowd. Email is an extremely powerful tool that, when wielded correctly, can produce powerful results.