I
f you’re like me, you are always on the lookout for ways to simplify tasks and save time. And few tasks seem to take more time than reading and responding to emails.
I learned several years ago that a few commonly used email acronyms are an essential way to save time and communicate more effectively. After all, acronyms shorten the body of your email while communicating key points succinctly. And that has an added benefit for the recipient: your emails will be easier to read.
For this reason, I wanted to share my favorite email acronyms that probably save me (and my recipients) at least a couple hours every month.
Before you start using these acronyms, however, it’s a good idea to check in with your team about email. Probe to find out if email is also a source of frustration for them and ask what acronyms they’ve used effectively. Your end goal should be to create a list of acronyms both you and your team will use.
|
Acronym |
Stands For |
Use this |
Example |
|
BLUF |
Bottom Line Up Front |
At the start of an email that is longer than a couple paragraphs. In one sentence or less, it summarizes what the reader should know. |
BLUF: We have ten days to respond to the IRS about an incorrect 5500 filing |
|
EOD |
End of Day |
In the subject line to indicate when something needs to occur by the end of the day. |
All time sheets must be submitted by EOD |
|
EOM |
End of Message |
In the subject line of an email when the email body has no text |
Subway stalled; 10 minutes late EOM |
|
IAM |
In a meeting |
Auto reply for internal email messages (messages from within your organization) to let senders know you are in a meeting and unavailable. |
IAM until 4:00 PM |
|
LET |
Leaving Early Today |
Auto reply for internal email messages so your team members can plan accordingly. |
LET @ 3:00 PM |
|
LMGTFY |
Let me google that for you |
To respond to a question that your colleague could have googled. This one is a bit snarky, so use with an emoji to soften. |
LMGTFY 😉 |
|
LMK |
Let Me Know |
At the end of an email so readers know to reply with their opinion. |
Those are the three reasons I think we should postpone this meeting. LMK |
|
NRN |
No Reply Necessary |
In the subject line to discourage recipients from replying “just to be polite” |
Funder onsite tomorrow at 9:00 AM – NRN |
|
OOO |
Out of Office |
Auto reply for internal email messages so your team members know you’re out all day. |
OOO Tu-Wed-Th |
|
OT |
Off Topic |
To let readers know that you are changing the topic without starting a new email. |
Yes, lets meet at 9:00 AM tomorrow morning to discuss our aging AR. |
|
PRB |
Please reply by |
In the subject line of the of an email so recipients immediately know the deadline for responses |
Scheduling poll – PRB Fri @ noon |
|
TLTR |
Too Long To Read |
When you’ve received what feels like a small novel over a trivial matter. It tells the sender to edit the email for length or draft a brief summary. This one should be used sparingly. |
TLTR – please revise and resend |
|
TYT |
Take Your Time |
When you want feedback from the recipient but don’t have a deadline to receive it |
Please send the financial statements for the proposal due in five weeks. TYT |
|
Y/N |
Yes or No |
In the subject line of an email to let the reader know that just the word “yes” or “no” is necessary. With no explanations. |
Y/N – Are you available in 5 minutes? |
Why I Am Writing About This ?
Executive Directors I coach often complain about how overwhelming their email inbox is. That overwhelming feeling leads to stress. And stressed out leads to burnout. One way to combat overloaded inboxes is to simplify our emails, and using acronyms is one of many methods that I recommend. If these 14 aren’t enough for you, check out even more acronyms here!
And if you are an executive director feeling overwhelmed about things beyond just your inbox, reach out to me, I’d love to help!
Additionally, if this post was helpful, check out these other great Successful Nonprofits® resources on increasing your efficiency:
Episode 145: 5 Hacks for More Effective Board Recruitment
Episode 165: 4 Tips for Efficient and Effective Fundraising with Patton McDowell
Episode 177: The Secret to Low Stress & High Efficiency with Susie Hayman
Blog: Six Tips for More Effective Meetings
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