Writing something like “In the case that you would be willing to answer my questions I have included them below this mail” and putting them in at the end of the mail (below the closing of the e-mail).
This could have advantages for both sides:
The recipient can, if they choose, have a short look at the questions and decide based on that whether they want to answer. They don’t run the risk of saying “yes” and then being confronted with a time investment they didn’t want to make once they read the questions in a second mail.
Maybe the questions are interesting for the recipient (increasing the likelihood of them answering).
If the questions are easy to answer and the mail reaches the recipient at a time when he is able and willing to answer them it is not necessary for them to answer the mail and then wait for the questions.
4. asking “would you answer my questions” and only with a confirmation, later, telling those questions wastes time and mental energy of the person being asked (i.e. they need to spend time considering the first question, replying to it and only then receive the real communication)
Reminds me of a blog post I read a long time ago where a writer told a story how a high school student requested a sort of interview for a class project. The student essentially wrote the whole interview, including the writer’s answers and said “if you want to take time to write your own answers I will be grateful, but in case that would take too much of your time, here is what I gathered from your writing, if you think something needs to be corrected, please tell me”. The writer was delighted especially because it was so easy for her to say “yes” to the student
Great list, thanks.
I think for 7. there is a possible alternative:
Writing something like “In the case that you would be willing to answer my questions I have included them below this mail” and putting them in at the end of the mail (below the closing of the e-mail).
This could have advantages for both sides:
The recipient can, if they choose, have a short look at the questions and decide based on that whether they want to answer. They don’t run the risk of saying “yes” and then being confronted with a time investment they didn’t want to make once they read the questions in a second mail.
Maybe the questions are interesting for the recipient (increasing the likelihood of them answering).
If the questions are easy to answer and the mail reaches the recipient at a time when he is able and willing to answer them it is not necessary for them to answer the mail and then wait for the questions.
4. asking “would you answer my questions” and only with a confirmation, later, telling those questions wastes time and mental energy of the person being asked (i.e. they need to spend time considering the first question, replying to it and only then receive the real communication)
Reminds me of a blog post I read a long time ago where a writer told a story how a high school student requested a sort of interview for a class project. The student essentially wrote the whole interview, including the writer’s answers and said “if you want to take time to write your own answers I will be grateful, but in case that would take too much of your time, here is what I gathered from your writing, if you think something needs to be corrected, please tell me”. The writer was delighted especially because it was so easy for her to say “yes” to the student
Thanks for your comments! I corrected point 7 now.
Agreed, I’d consider that fine.