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Add a PS to every business email: it might be the key element you’re missing. The postscript, or P.S., has been a staple in written communication for adding extra thoughts. Excluding it from your email signature could mean missing out on a significant opportunity.
Ivan Misner, a networking expert, founder of the franchised networking association BNI, and author of “Networking Like a Pro,” believes firmly in the power of the postscript. Misner mentions that many people in sales use it, but the average business person doesn’t really think about it.
**Reasons to Add a PS to Every Business Email**
Here are some reasons why Misner believes every business owner and professional should add a P.S. to their email signature:
**Add a Thought That Stands Out**
You probably have one major goal for your business at any given time, like increasing sales, gaining social media followers, or converting email subscribers into loyal customers. A P.S. allows you to add an extra thought that doesn’t have to fit with the main message. For example, you can communicate a quick message that supports your main business goal.
**Provide a Call to Action**
A P.S. is a great place for a call to action. If you’re trying to sell a product, you can include a link to that product page. If you’re connecting with prospects, it might be a link to a video of your sales pitch. The P.S. section makes that call to action stand out.
**Make Lasting Connections**
Even if you’re not trying to sell something, use your email signature to provide an easy way for people to follow you online. Misner suggests adding links to your Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or LinkedIn profiles and encouraging people to connect with you on these platforms to grow your online network.
**Add Something Memorable**
A P.S. can be used to share a funny or unique thought that might make your message stick in the minds of those you communicate with. A humorous quote or joke, for example, can make you memorable to potential prospects or partners.
**Call Attention to Promotions**
Regularly updating your P.S. can keep things fresh for those you communicate with often. Misner recommends changing it every couple of months or with every mass marketing email. This is an easy way to promote sales or limited-time offers.
**Psychological Impact of a P.S. in Business Communication**
Including a postscript in business emails taps into several psychological principles that can enhance the effectiveness of your communication. Here’s how:
**The Serial Position Effect**
This psychological phenomenon suggests people remember the first and last items in a series better than those in the middle. In an email, this means information presented at the beginning and the end, where the P.S. is located, is more likely to be remembered.
**The Principle of Novelty**
People pay more attention to and remember something unusual or different. A P.S. in a business email can serve as an unexpected element, especially when the rest of the message is conventional. This novelty can capture and hold attention.
**Curiosity and Personal Touch**
A P.S. plays on natural curiosity, promising additional information beyond the email’s formal closure. It can feel like a personal aside to the reader, enhancing the relationship between sender and recipient and increasing the likelihood of a positive response.
**Using P.S. Effectively in Your Business Emails**
Here’s why including a P.S. in business emails can be valuable:
**Highlight Urgent Information:** Sometimes conveying critical information doesn’t naturally fit within the email’s main body. Use a P.S. to emphasize important points, deadlines, or updates.
**Personalize Messages:** Tailoring emails to each recipient improves engagement. Use a personalized P.S. to address specific concerns, offer solutions, or acknowledge previous interactions.
**Reinforce Key Messages:** Use a P.S. to reinforce key messages or requests. Repetition can increase the chances of your message sticking.
**Express Gratitude or Warmth:** A heartfelt P.S. expressing gratitude or well-wishes can leave a lasting positive impression.
**Share Additional Resources:** Share relevant articles, reports, or resources through the P.S., showing your commitment to providing useful information.
**Acknowledge Feedback or Concerns:** Summarize your response to feedback or concerns in the P.S., making your resolution clear and accessible.
**Be Strategic with Content:** Ensure your P.S. aligns with the overall message and objectives of your email.
**Keep It Short and Sweet:** A concise P.S. is impactful. Aim for one or two sentences that pack a punch.
**Use Action-Oriented Language:** Strong, action-oriented language motivates recipients to take specific actions.
**Inject Personality or Humor:** Depending on your brand voice and relationship with the recipient, adding personality or humor to your P.S. can make it stand out.
**The Dos and Don’ts of Effective Postscripts in Business Emails**
**Dos:**
– Keep It Concise
– Ensure Relevance
– Use Sparingly
– Add a Personal Touch
– Create a Sense of Urgency
**Don’ts:**
– Don’t Overload with Links
– Don’t Use to Conceal Information
– Avoid Overuse of Clichés
– Don’t Rely Solely on the P.S.
– Avoid Misleading Content
**Mastering the Art of P.S. Placement in Emails**
Consider these strategic placements for your P.S.:
**At the End of the Email:** This traditional location is ideal for summarizing key points or reinforcing primary messages.
**Before Your Signature:** Placing it right above your name and contact details can draw attention.
**In the Middle of the Email:** This can break up the text and ensure important information isn’t missed.
**In a Separate Paragraph:** Use bold or italicized text to make it stand out.
**In a P.S. Box or Highlighted Section:** Create a visual distinction to emphasize its importance.
**With a Subtle Lead-In:** Introduce your P.S. within the main email body to pique curiosity.
**Multiple P.S. Sections:** For emails with multiple topics, use multiple P.S. sections.
**Experiment and Test:** Try different placements to see what resonates best with your audience.
**Add a PS to Every Business Email: Key Takeaways**
Adding a P.S. to business emails is a powerful tool that can enhance engagement, boost memorability, and drive action. To make the most of it, ensure it is concise, relevant, and strategically placed. Incorporating a P.S. can help you connect with your audience and achieve your communication objectives.
**Reason to Add a P.S.**
– **Add a Thought That Stands Out:** Use the P.S. for an additional thought supporting your main business goal.
– **Provide a Call to Action:** Make your call to action stand out in the P.S.
– **Make Lasting Connections:** Include links to your social media profiles.
– **Add Something Memorable:** Share a humorous or unique thought.
– **Call Attention to Promotions:** Regularly update your P.S. to promote sales or offers.
