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5 Amazing Reasons to Add a PS to Your Next Business Email

Here is Why You Should Add a PS to Every Business Email You Send

Your business emails may be missing something — a P.S.

P.S., or postscript, has long been used in various forms of written communication as a way of adding an additional thought after a message. And if your email signature doesn’t include one, you could really be missing out.

Ivan Misner is a networking expert, founder of franchised networking association BNI and author of the recently released Networking Like a Pro. Misner is a big believer in the power of the postscript.

Misner said in a recent phone interview with Small Business Trends, “It’s something that a lot of people use in sales. But the average business person doesn’t really think about it.”

Reasons Why to Add a PS to Every Business Email

Here are some of the reasons why Misner believes every business owner and professional should add a P.S. to your email signature.

Add a Thought That Stands Out

Chances are, you have one major goal for your business at any given time. It might be increasing sales of a new product, gaining social media followers, converting email subscribers into loyal customers. Whatever that goal is, you should constantly be working toward it. But it isn’t always possible to bring it up naturally within the body of an email. So when you use a P.S., you can add an extra thought that doesn’t have to necessarily fit with the main message. For example, you can always communicate a quick message that aims to support your main business goal of the moment.

Provide a Call to Action

In most cases, a P.S. in your email signature should be some kind of call to action. If you’re trying to sell a product, it could be a link to that page of your website. If you’re trying to connect with prospects, it might be a link to a video of your sales pitch. The P.S. section gives you a simple way to make that call to action stand out.

Make Lasting Connections

Even if you’re not specifically trying to sell something, you can use your email signature to give people an easy way to follow you elsewhere online. Misner recommends adding a link to your Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or LinkedIn profiles and encouraging people to connect with you on those platforms if you’re trying to grow your network online.

Add Something Memorable

You could also simply use the P.S. section to share a funny or unique thought that might make your message stand out in the minds of those you communicate with. If that one little thing, perhaps a humorous quote or pithy joke, makes you memorable to potential prospects or partners, it could benefit your business down the road.

Call Attention to Promotions

Of course, you can also change your P.S. within your email signature regularly to keep things fresh for those who you might communicate with regularly. In fact, Misner recommends changing it up every couple of months, or with every message for mass marketing emails. This gives you a simple way to promote sales or limited time offers.

Reason to Add a P.S. Explanation
Add a Thought That Stands Out Use the P.S. to insert an additional thought or message that supports your main business goal, even if it doesn't naturally fit within the email's body.
Provide a Call to Action Utilize the P.S. as a platform for a call to action, such as linking to a product page or a sales video, making it stand out for recipients.
Make Lasting Connections Include links to your social media profiles in your email signature's P.S. to encourage connections and expand your online network.
Add Something Memorable Use the P.S. to share a memorable or unique thought, like a humorous quote or joke, to make your message more memorable and distinctive.
Call Attention to Promotions Change your P.S. regularly, promoting sales or limited-time offers to keep your email recipients engaged and informed about your latest promotions.
5 Amazing Reasons to Add a PS to Your Next Business Email

Using P.S. Effectively in Your Business Emails

In addition to your email signature, consider leveraging the power of the postscript (P.S.) within the body of your business emails. Here’s why it can be a valuable addition:

  • Highlight Urgent Information: Sometimes, you need to convey critical information that may not naturally fit within the main body of your email. The P.S. offers a convenient spot to emphasize important points, deadlines, or updates, ensuring that recipients don’t overlook them.
  • Personalize Your Messages: Tailoring your emails to each recipient can significantly improve engagement. A personalized P.S. can help you address specific concerns, offer customized solutions, or acknowledge previous interactions, demonstrating your commitment to individualized communication.
  • Reinforce Key Messages: If you have a key message or request that you want recipients to remember, use the P.S. to reinforce it. Repetition, when done subtly, can increase the chances of your message sticking with your audience.
  • Express Gratitude or Warmth: Building and maintaining relationships is crucial in business. A heartfelt P.S. expressing gratitude for a recent meeting, well-wishes for an upcoming event, or simply conveying warmth can leave a lasting positive impression on your contacts.
  • Share Additional Resources: Sometimes, you may come across relevant articles, reports, or resources after sending your initial email. Utilize the P.S. to share these valuable materials, demonstrating your commitment to providing useful information to your recipients.
  • Acknowledge Feedback or Concerns: When addressing feedback or concerns raised by recipients, the P.S. can be an ideal place to summarize your response, ensuring that your resolution or follow-up actions are clear and accessible.

5 Amazing Reasons to Add a PS to Your Next Business Email

The Dos and Don’ts of Effective Postscripts (P.S.) in Business Emails

When using postscripts in your business emails, it’s essential to follow certain guidelines to ensure their effectiveness and professionalism. Here are some dos and don’ts to keep in mind:

Dos:

  • Keep It Concise: Your P.S. should be brief and to the point. Avoid lengthy paragraphs or multiple P.S. messages, as this can overwhelm recipients.
  • Relevance Is Key: Ensure that your P.S. aligns with the main message or provides additional value. Irrelevant or off-topic postscripts can confuse or frustrate recipients.
  • Use It Sparingly: Reserve the P.S. for important or standout information. Using it in every email can diminish its impact and make it seem less genuine.
  • Add a Personal Touch: Whenever possible, personalize your P.S. to cater to the recipient’s interests or needs. Personalization can make your message more engaging and memorable.
  • Create a Sense of Urgency: If appropriate, use the P.S. to convey urgency, such as limited-time offers or deadlines. This can prompt quicker responses or actions from recipients.

Don’ts:

  • Don’t Overload with Links: Avoid cluttering your P.S. with too many hyperlinks. One or two well-placed links are usually sufficient to guide recipients to the desired action or resource.
  • Don’t Use It to Conceal Information: Never use the P.S. to bury essential information that should have been in the main body of the email. It can come across as manipulative or unprofessional.
  • Avoid Overuse of Clichés: Refrain from using clichés or generic statements in your P.S. These can make your message appear insincere or lacking in originality.
  • Don’t Rely Solely on the P.S.: While the P.S. is a valuable tool, it should complement the main body of your email, not replace it. Ensure your main message is clear and comprehensive.
  • Steer Clear of Misleading Content: Do not use the P.S. to deceive or mislead recipients. Honesty and transparency are crucial in business communication.
Dos Don'ts
Keep It Concise: Don't Overload with Links: Avoid including too many hyperlinks in your P.S.
Relevance Is Key: Don't Use It to Conceal Information: Avoid hiding essential details in the P.S.
Use It Sparingly: Avoid Overuse of Clichés: Refrain from using clichéd or generic statements.
Add a Personal Touch: Don't Rely Solely on the P.S.: Ensure your main email message is clear and comprehensive.
Create a Sense of Urgency: Steer Clear of Misleading Content: Always maintain honesty and transparency.

5 Amazing Reasons to Add a PS to Your Next Business Email

Mastering the Art of P.S. Placement in Emails

The placement of your P.S. within your business emails can significantly impact its effectiveness. Here are some strategic considerations:

  • At the End of the Email: Placing your P.S. at the very end of your email is the most traditional and expected location. It’s ideal for summarizing key points, providing additional information, or reinforcing your primary message.
  • Before Your Signature: If you want your P.S. to be the last thing recipients see before your signature, position it right above your name and contact details. This can draw attention to your concluding message and call to action.
  • In the Middle of the Email: For emails with longer content, consider placing a P.S. strategically in the middle. This can break up the text, ensuring that even readers who skim your message won’t miss your important information.
  • In a Separate Paragraph: To make your P.S. stand out visually, use a separate paragraph with bold or italicized text. This formatting can help it catch the eye and encourage recipients to read it.
  • In a P.S. Box or Highlighted Section: Create a visual distinction for your P.S. by placing it in a shaded box or highlighting it with a contrasting color. This draws attention to the postscript and emphasizes its importance.
  • With a Subtle Lead-In: Introduce your P.S. with a subtle lead-in sentence in the main body of your email. This can pique curiosity and prepare recipients for the additional information or call to action in the P.S.
  • Use Multiple P.S. Sections: In longer emails with multiple topics or calls to action, consider using multiple P.S. sections. Each P.S. can address a specific point, making it easier for recipients to navigate and respond accordingly.
  • Experiment and Test: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different P.S. placements in your email campaigns. A/B testing can help you determine which placement resonates best with your audience and yields the desired results.

5 Amazing Reasons to Add a PS to Your Next Business Email

Conclusion

In the world of business emails, the power of the postscript (P.S.) should not be underestimated. While often overlooked, this humble addition can make a significant difference in the effectiveness of your communication. From highlighting important information to personalizing your messages and adding a touch of urgency, the P.S. serves as a valuable tool to enhance your email strategy.

When used judiciously, a well-crafted P.S. can engage your recipients, make your messages more memorable, and prompt desired actions. Remember to follow best practices, such as keeping it concise and relevant, and strategically placing it within your emails.

Incorporate the P.S. into your email toolkit, and you’ll find it to be a versatile and powerful way to convey your messages, connect with your audience, and achieve your business goals. So, the next time you draft a business email, don’t forget to add that compelling P.S. that could be the extra nudge your message needs to leave a lasting impact.

Photo via Shutterstock

This article, "5 Amazing Reasons to Add a PS to Your Next Business Email" was first published on Small Business Trends

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