10 Genius Alternatives to 'As Per My Last Email,' According to an Etiquette Expert
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways
Repetition has its place. Regularly working out can improve your health, and practicing a skill like the piano can lead to progress. However, you may despise having to repeat yourself, especially in an email where, conceivably, someone can scroll through the thread to answer their own question or concerns. Enter the phrase "As per my last email," which can take seconds to fire off and, according to one expert, potentially a long time to recover from.
"The problem with 'As per my last email' is that it is patronizing to the extent that can damage trust and camaraderie amongst teams, colleagues, vendors and customers," says Jennifer Porter, an etiquette expert with Satsuma Designs LLC.
In fact, Porter has a hot take on the phrase.
"There's never a good time to use 'As per my last email,'" she shares. "People don't like to receive an introduction like this in an email, and there are many ways to elicit the same results with more collaborative and supportive language."
Luckily, Porter reveals 10 genius alternative phrases to use instead. Are they as short as the original phrase? No. But are they sweeter? Yes.
Related: An Etiquette Expert Is Begging People To Stop This 'Rude' Habit in Social Settings
10 Messages To Send Instead of 'As Per My Last Email'
1. "Thank you for your thoughtful comments in the meeting regarding [X]..."
"... I'm excited to see what else you're thinking about and can't wait to review your plan. Please let me know if you need any support in the next steps."
This phrase epitomizes the Golden Rule to treat others how we want to be treated and mixes in a healthy dose of push and pull.
"You're starting with praise and following up with an ask and offer," Porter says. "You're not just taking. You're giving, too."
Related: 14 Phrases That Make You Sound 'Instantly Uptight,' According to Etiquette Experts
2. "Good news! I'm meeting with [Customer X] on Friday and am pulling my deck together."
"I'd love my slides to reflect the great ideas you shared in the planning session. Could I send you a shared link to add your notes to the last slide?"
You asked your colleague to send their ideas in an email during a wrap-up to a meeting and followed up with an email. The result? Crickets, times two. Instead of a not-so-charming third follow-up starting with, "As per my last email," opt for this message that tees up a streamlined approach.
"Here, you're creating another avenue for communication and taking an extra step to make it easier on your colleague to... dump a file in a place where it's convenient for you too," Porter explains.
3. "So sorry if I missed your note, but..."
"... I wanted to circle up on the great ideas you had on [Project A] in advance of my meeting with the team in two days. Most pressing are your thoughts on [insert bullet 1, 2 and 3]."
Plot twist: You may be the anti-hero in this game of communication tag.
"Here, you're acknowledging that maybe you overlooked a response of some kind, and to make it easy on the recipient, you're presenting needs in bullets that are easy to read and [reply to]," Porter says.
4. "Bumping this to the top of your feed because you're busy..."
"... and I'm a pesky mosquito."
Honey and humor can go further than vinegar and vitriol. Porter loves how this message is a way to "get what you want with a smile." However, note that it's a know-your-crowd strategy.
"This can be off-putting to some, but I think it's worth the risk because for those of whom it does have appeal—expect to get your answer within the day," Porter shares.
Related: An Etiquette Expert Is Begging People To Stop This 'Rude' Habit During Phone Calls
5. "I'm finalizing the [talking point/action plan/deck] and..."
"... would be grateful for your thoughts on these three items that we discussed/drafted earlier. [Insert bullets 1, 2 and 3.]"
Porter explains that this message aims to send concentrated bullet items that make replying a snap. She acknowledges that you are repeating your original email, which can feel frustrating.
"But in all communications and life itself, isn't it worth spending a little time to get the results you want to further your goals?" Porter shares.
6. "I'm so sorry to be a stressor, but I am kind of freaking out about our timeline..."
"... Is there anything I can do to help with the next steps to wrap up our action plan?"
Porter reports that vulnerability (and a smidge of "whiny") can be effective when it's genuine, even in business communications.
"I think this is a good mode for peers and subordinates, but depending upon your manager relationship, good for the boss too," Porter explains.
7. "Good morning! What a treat seeing your name pop up..."
"... in my reminders to follow up with you on the deck/progress/strategy document. How can I help?"
This email can serve as a treat to the recipient too.
"Here, you're simply passing on an external action that connects you both," Porter notes. "It's an easy way to pass the buck to the annoying calendar, communicate support and get the output you need to do your job."
8. "On deadline..."
"... So sorry to push here. Let me know how I can help get this to the finish line."
Desperate times? It sounds like it from this email. However, that simply may be the case.
"You're a little desperate, a little pushy and honest," Porter says. "It's not my preferred mode, but it says what you mean in a straightforward way and offers assistance."
Related: 9 Annoying Habits Revealed by Etiquette Experts
9. "Gentle reminder that [vendor /customer/team] is ready to activate with our direction..."
"... Would you please send me your thoughts by [give deadline]?"
Sometimes, deadlines are hard, and teamwork is needed to make them happen.
"A hard deadline can be a strong motivator and the reminder that customer—or vendor—is the priority refocuses effort on external needs, not your demand for the results," Porter says.
10. "Checking in to gauge your availability to connect on [insert original email content]..."
"... in person or by email. Your choice and my treat if we meet up. Thanks for helping me beat the deadline!"
Choices send a between-the-lines message.
"You're making it clear that feedback/content is a priority—one that you're willing to foot the bill for coffee," Porter says. "If your recipient doesn't have the in-person time, they will surely get to the email. I like this strategy a lot. If in person, you take notes, get immediate confirmation, and now you have what you need to proceed."
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