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Email is one of the most popular forms of communication, especially in vendor management, where emails play a critical role in keeping projects on track and ensuring that change orders are seen and addressed promptly. However, with the volume of emails that most of us receive daily, it can be challenging to get our messages noticed, especially when they are urgent.
In this blog post, we'll explore seven ways to mark your email as "urgent urgent urgent" so that it gets read. Whether you're trying to get a change order approved, follow up on a payment, or simply make sure that your message is seen, these tips will help you cut through the noise and get the attention you need. So, if you're tired of your emails being buried in your clients' inboxes, read on to learn how to make sure your urgent messages get noticed.
1. Use 72-Point Comic Sans Font for the Subject Line
Well, have you tried using 72-point Comic Sans font for your subject line? That's right – the same font your nephew used for his birthday party invitations can now be the key to getting your boss's attention.
Because let's be real, nothing screams "urgent" like a font that's childish and hard to read. Who needs clarity and professionalism when you can have whimsy and eye strain? Your colleagues will see that playful, cartoonish font and know this is no time for seriousness. This is an email that demands their immediate attention.
2. Write the Entire Email in ALL CAPS
Think about it: lowercase letters are for casual chit-chat and friendly banter. But when it comes to urgent matters, only ALL CAPS can truly capture the urgency and importance of the situation. Your colleagues and clients will see those capital letters and know that this is not a message to be ignored or deleted. It's time to ditch the lowercase letters and start typing like you mean it!
Of course, using ALL CAPS in your emails has a few downsides. Some believe that too many capital letters can come across as aggressive and rude, which is never a good look. Plus, it can be hard to read and even give people a headache. And let's not forget the fact that IT LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE SHOUTING. But really, is that such a bad thing?
3. Add a Bunch of Exclamation Marks
If you want to make sure your message gets read, you need to show your excitement! Which you can do by adding lots and lots of exclamation marks?! That's right – one exclamation mark is good, but five is even better!
But hold on there champ. Before you go crazy with punctuation, you need to make sure you strike the right tone. You wouldn't want to come across as too excited – or worse, angry. That's a recipe for disaster. So how can you show your enthusiasm without going overboard?
First, you need to pick your spots. Don't just throw exclamation marks around willy-nilly. Choose the most important parts of your message and emphasize them with some well-placed exclamation marks. For example, "URGENT: WE NEED YOUR SIGNATURE BY 5 PM!!!!" shows urgency and excitement without coming across as too frantic.
4. Include a GIF of a Ticking Time Bomb
When it comes to urgent emails, sometimes words just aren't enough. That's where the ticking time bomb GIF comes in. Not only does it add a sense of urgency to your message, but it's also just plain fun to watch!
Think about it – when you see a ticking time bomb, what's the first thing that comes to mind? Explosions, danger, excitement. And who doesn't love a good explosion? It's like the Fourth of July but in your inbox!
5. Threaten to Send Follow-Up Emails Every 5 Minutes
If your urgent message wasn't urgent enough, why not let your recipients know that you'll be sending them follow-up emails every five minutes until they respond? That's right; it's time to break out the digital fly swatter and start buzzing around their inbox like a pesky insect.
Just make sure your recipients know what's coming. Don't just start sending follow-up emails without warning – that's a surefire way to get marked as spam. Instead, let them know in your initial email that you'll be following up every five minutes until you get a response. That way, they can respond before you start buzzing around their inbox.
6. Attach a Photo of a Crying Baby
Sometimes you need to pull out all the stops when it comes to urgent emails. And what better way to convey urgency than by attaching a picture of a crying baby? After all, if there's one thing that's universally understood as urgent, it's a crying baby.
Now, some might say that attaching a picture of a crying baby is a bit manipulative. But let's be real – when you're dealing with vendors or clients who just aren't responding to your emails, sometimes you need to play a little hardball. And what's more hardball than a picture of a sobbing infant?
Of course, you don't want to overdo it. You don't want to attach a picture of a crying baby to every email you send, or people might start to think you have some kind of weird baby obsession. Instead, save it for those truly urgent messages when you need to convey just how important it is that they respond.
7. Write URGENT URGENT URGENT in Every Sentence
When it comes to getting people's attention, sometimes one "urgent" just isn't enough. That's why you should try using three "urgents" in every sentence! After all, if you really want to convey just how urgent your message is, you need to make sure that your readers know that this is not just "urgent" but "URGENT URGENT URGENT."
Now, some might say that using multiple "urgents" is a bit excessive or even annoying. But let's be real – when you're dealing with vendors or clients who just aren't responding to your emails, sometimes you need to go to extremes. And what's more extreme than putting "URGENT URGENT URGENT" in every sentence?
Of course, you don't want to overdo it. Nobody wants to be the hysterical, over-the-top person who's always shouting "URGENT URGENT URGENT" at people. Instead, save it for those truly urgent messages when you need to convey just how important it is that they respond.
Start Getting Responses to Your Emails
While the seven ways to mark your email as "urgent urgent urgent" may seem like a good idea for catching someone's attention, it's important to remember that using this tactic too frequently can diminish its effectiveness. This article was intended as an April Fools' Day joke to add a little humour to your day, and we hope it brought a smile to your face.
On a more serious note, it's important to remember that email is not a vendor portal. While it's a convenient way to communicate with colleagues and clients, it's not always the best way to share sensitive information or track important documents. Many procurement professionals will agree that a vendor portal is the better alternative since it allows teams to ensure their communications are secure, efficient, and effective.