How to increase e-mail response

How many of your outgoing e-mails are responded to?

Top 5 things I do to increase response:

1.  Timing
2.  Subject Line
3.  Focused business matter
4.  Request a response
5.  Include the personal touch

Timing - the earlier in the morning the better chance of getting a response.   The tasks of the day have not taken the person away from focusing on their inbox just yet.

Subject Line - no selling!   Shorter the better such as "checking in" or if making an introduction with "AlphaKOR" as the subject line.   This strategy has a high rate of opening the e-mail.

Focused business matter - clear and to the point with just enough details necessary.   If it takes more than 3 sentences to explain it, justify it or turn a negative e-mail to positive, simply STOP and pick up the phone.   Having done this each time you find out miscommunications and a lot easier to talk it out instead of e-mail bantering.

Request a response - once the focused business matter is out of the way, ask for "your thoughts?", "kindly advise" or "looking forward to your reply".  There are a lot of tasks going on for your audience so a gentle nudge does go a long way.

Personal Touch - we are all human and e-mail has no emotions and it's up to you to add some.  "Hope you are having a good morning" or "Enjoy your Day" are two good statements for those you do not know well.   When you know your audience, ask them about "How was your trip you mentioned?"

Bonus Tip - include cell number for individuals who are difficult to reach, too busy to connect with or need the extra personal touch letting them know you are always available.   

What are you doing to increase your e-mail response rate?