Short Informative Messages

Learning OUTCOMES

  • Write a short informative message.

Short, informative messages can take a variety of forms. For example, a quick communication to a teammate can utilize IM technology and provide a vehicle for a quick response. These messages tend to be more conversational in structure and resemble a chat more than an email or other document (Figure 1).

Screenshot of an online chat conversation between two coworkers discussing an upcoming event. Coworker 1: Hey were you able to get a count of who's available to come to the summit next month? Coworker 2: Yep! Everyone'es answered the Google form I sent out. Here's the results (file is shared). Coworker 1: Perfect! Oh good! It looks like most people can come. Thanks so much for getting this info! Coworker 2: No problem! Always happy to help. The next party planning meeting is on Thursday, right? Coworker 1: Yep! See you then!

Figure 1. A chat conversation between two coworkers discussing attendance of a future summit.

Another form of a short informative message could be a Twitter message, or tweet. Tweets are better for communicating with larger audiences, possibly external as well; in fact, one of the primary uses of Twitter (by companies) is advertising and promoting their brands. (We discussed Twitter in more depth in Module 10: Social Media.)

If the situation requires a more formal approach for your message, sending an email is usually more appropriate. In this example, the communication is being sent to a company executive from a subordinate.

To: Dave McCann

CC:

Subject: Change Of Plans (the customer wants to meet before lunch tomorrow)

From: Jon Parks

 

Good morning Dave,

Our contact just sent me a message requesting that we meet in their lobby at 11:00 am instead of meeting for lunch at 12. Will that work for your schedule?

 

Thank you,

 

Jon

 

Jon Parks

Senior Account Manager

Code Software

PRACTICE QUESTIONS

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