How is writing an email unlike doing brain surgery? Unlike brain surgeons, email writers don't have to get it right the first time. But, bad emails can "kill" a career, destroy a reputation and leave lasting damage. Though efficiency is important, it's not always best to click "Send" a nanosecond after an email has been composed.

Here are 3 easy-to-apply and important ideas to help you get best results from your emails:

1. Do your homework. How does your recipient like to be approached with new ideas? Do they prefer email? Do you really need to provide all the information, including tactics? Could the smartest path be to provide only enough content to pique interest, so they will agree to meet, Skype, or put it on the next agenda? Consider their personality and preferences, not yours.

2. Have a road map.  You may have heard the motivational saying about "Failing to plan is planning to fail." Without a clear writing "road map", email writers tend to ramble, forget to ask for what they want, and sound less than professional. Ask yourself a few thoughtful questions, such as: 

Why am I writing this? 

What do I really want to say? 

What is that I need to accomplish in this email? 

What's the next step? 

By just taking an extra minute to answer those questions, you'll save loads of time writing and revising because you'll have a clear road map to follow to get to your destination quickly.

3. Think past this email. Ask yourself: What can I say or do to control the next step? Think forward. Let's say, for instance, you want to change the flow of your upcoming meeting by having your keynote speaker present from 9:30AM - 10:30AM instead of the usual 8AM - 9AM. Instead of explaining your business case and ending your email to your decision maker by asking, "What do you think?", think forward.

Say what you think, "I recommend we move the keynote slot later...." Then, suggest a clear action, such as, "With your approval, I'll move forward," or (for the more determined), "I'll add this to the conference call for the committee," or (for the New Yorker in all of us), "I'll move forward with this exciting change unless you suggest otherwise."  Strategy means making it as easy as possible for your recipient to say "Yes!" to you.

In short, by doing your homework, having a clear writing "road map", and thinking forward, you'll avoid email "ping-pong" and be on your way to engaging in clear, action-oriented communication.

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Want more? You're in luck! McGraw Hill has just released SpeakerSue's expanded, revised and updated book Power Sales Writing: Using Communication to Turn Prospects into Clients. It is full of the newest tips and trends, including how social media has changed the way people read and write emails, and practical easy-to-use strategies for being more persuasive, selling more easily, and writing more profitably. Schedule Sue Hershkowitz-Coore to speak at your next meeting! Visit her www.SpeakerSue.com, email her business manager, or call Sue directly at 480-575-9711. Follow SpeakerSue on twitter and like her on Facebook.