Never Send An Email About Money

This title was actually a topic idea I had for a presentation a few months back and I thought it would also make for a really good newsletter topic.

Conversations about money aren’t easy. Especially when it comes to asking for it. Whether it’s an unpaid bill, a potential proposal, an event fee, etc. it can be uncomfortable when you have to ask someone about money. 

My best advice is simple. Never send an email about money.

It’s not a topic for email, because there is most likely a discussion that needs to happen around that money. Sending an email about money is hiding behind the email when YOU are the person uncomfortable. It can fall into the category of having difficult conversations, yet it is not necessarily difficult for the receiver, it might only be difficult for you.

If you send a proposal and are waiting for someone to accept it without asking you further questions, you’re asking for problems later.

Get on the phone with them after they’ve had a few days to review and have real, meaningful chats about what is involved and the value in what your work will do for them. Explain the cost, the time frame, the deadlines, whatever might be included.

On the phone, or on a Zoom or other platform where you can actually see and/or hear one another, you will get a lot more accomplished. 

This is the same when a client or contractor of yours has an outstanding bill. Perhaps they are having a hardship or need a few more weeks to pay. This is the opportunity to create payment options that are acceptable for both parties. Email allows the client or contractor to push it to the side.   

When you talk to them and actually discover what’s going on, you can create a real plan moving forward. Maybe they can pay half of what they owe now and you can give them options for the rest of it. Maybe it was a simple error like a number wrong in the credit card or an oversight by another team member. 

An email doesn’t have any heart. It’s not human. People read text and language completely differently than someone else. 

What might seem passive aggressive to one person, might not seem that way to another and so on and so forth. 

Communication is so important in business, especially when it comes to financial conversations.

Even though an email is convenient, it’s not courteous. It’s quick, but it’s not quality. It’s easier, but it’s not efficient. 

Pick up the phone this week and start talking about money with more confidence.