The email line that's client repellent • Hacker News Board

Re: The email line that's client repellent

#61

Post by mdda » Fri, Jan 31, 2014, 5:03 PM UTC

aestra wrote: post #30

bananacurve wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>people are lazy and you might be surprised but the fact is that they don't want to do work even for their own requirements. And they will pay to avoid even the easiest chore. We got tired of not getting any response from people using our free trial and briefly required them to call us to activate their free trial. People started paying for the first month rather than make a phone call and some that paid never even u…

Isn't this the idea of a mail in rebate? That they attract attention and people buy the product but hardly nobody bothers to mail them in? I might be off base on that, but that was my thought as to why they are offered.

From my recollection, the industry stats on mail-in-rebates on (say) hard disks is something like 80% are unclaimed. Cutting a UPC out of the side of a box (and finding a stamp, and copying a tricky address exactly, etc) is a >$15 job for most people...

Re: The email line that's client repellent

#62

Post by bloat » Fri, Jan 31, 2014, 5:06 PM UTC

endlessvoid94 wrote: post #52

I use this phrase all the time in my work. Do you think it has the same effect in an organization?

I expect so.

But of course you get to choose whether to use it or not. If you want something done your way - then just start, and inform people what they should do to back you up. If you want someone else to take care of all the thinking for you, then just relax and say "Let me know how I can help."

Re: The email line that's client repellent

#63

Post by henryaj » Fri, Jan 31, 2014, 5:06 PM UTC

cantbecool wrote: post #17

This article clearly illustrates the red pill philosophy. He demonstrates a few things with his emails, his time is money, he has a plan and will make your live easier, and you get the impression he's not desperate for work, making him more attractive to future clients. I want someone successful mentality.

...the 'red pill philosophy'?

Re: The email line that's client repellent

#64

Post by cmillard » Fri, Jan 31, 2014, 5:14 PM UTC

The only time I use "let me know how I can help" is usually when I've approached the boundaries of what I can do. For me this phrase means: I've hit a roadblock, I need you to do something before I can proceed!

Re: The email line that's client repellent

#65

Post by mdda » Fri, Jan 31, 2014, 5:18 PM UTC

vinceguidry wrote: post #32

mrcactu5 wrote: post #27

When my boss replies with "sounds good" I start looking for my next job. I totally agree with "let me know". These simple 2 or 3-word phrases can mean very different things in different English-speaking subcultures. Here's what UrbanDictionary says about a variant: > LET ME KNOW HOW THAT WORKS OUT FOR YOU the easiest way to end an argument when your opponent relays their intentions to do something that you do not agr…

> When my boss replies with "sounds good" I start looking for my next job. What about this reply triggers this?

I'm guessing that in some English-speaking countries, the natural continuation of the phrase isn't just a thumbs up, but the words "... but sounding good and the actual reality are totally different".

i.e. "Sounds GOOD!" vs. "SOUNDS good..."

Re: The email line that's client repellent

#66

Post by SixSigma » Fri, Jan 31, 2014, 5:22 PM UTC

This works for life in general, not just client relations.

If someone says "let's have coffee sometime" jump right to "How about next Weds afternoon?" instead of "sure, good idea" and leaving it. If they're just blowing you off you'll find out there and then, either way you won't have to initiate contact and get it back to this point once more.

Making arbitrary decisions is taxing. Give people something to agree to.

Re: The email line that's client repellent

#67

Post by robwilliams88 » Fri, Jan 31, 2014, 5:29 PM UTC

grimtrigger wrote: post #55

Will definitely try this: but I'm also wary about working with clients who don't know what they want.

Do you want to work on a project for someone who doesn't know what they want?

Re: The email line that's client repellent

#68

Post by robwilliams88 » Fri, Jan 31, 2014, 5:33 PM UTC

baak wrote: post #45

jader201 wrote: post #29

Is this the same as "Let me know if you have any questions."? I often end emails like this, more as an acknowledgement that while I feel that I am clear, it may not seem clear to you, and to not hesitate to come back to me if anything is not clear to you. But maybe this also is leaving a similar impression as "Let me know how I can help."?

After a support session I usually end with "Let me know if you run into any issues." I do frequently wonder if that's the best way to end the email... as what I want to suggest is "Email me back directly if something happens, but I don't think anything will." Maybe: "Feel free to ping me directly if you run into any issues."

Why not send "Email me back directly if something happens, but I don't think anything will."???

Re: The email line that's client repellent

#69

Post by [deleted] » Fri, Jan 31, 2014, 5:37 PM UTC

[deleted]

Re: The email line that's client repellent

#70

Post by swombat » Fri, Jan 31, 2014, 5:56 PM UTC

benjaminwootton wrote: post #60

swombat wrote: post #12

Very good article. Posted my response here: http://swombat.com/2014/1/31/let-me-know-if-i-can-help

To illustrate, "If you read this far, you should follow my RSS feed here." :)

Yes, that is another application of word power tools... although if I wanted to make it even more arm-twisting I would say "Because you read this far, you should follow..."

"Because" is another well-known power word.