Adding to the Written Word

We’re lousy at reading tone in print

An email arrived in my inbox the other day with a beautiful video attached. It came from someone I did not know, inviting me to participate in an event.

Ordinarily, I would tag the email to read later in the day. (I try to “time-block” handling requests like this.) But the clip for the video was beautiful and it made me curious. So I clicked the link and watched it, smiling with pleasure.

The video accomplished several things better than a simple, text-only email could:

• It caught my attention. I answered the email right away.
• I got a better idea of the sender (Marina Tselner, a creative, positive visual artist).
• Watching it established an immediate sense of connection with the sender.

That was a lesson in the power of video, combined with email.

Later that day, I was recording the audiobook files for 33 Ways Not to Screw Up Your Business Emails. I infused the text with lively intonation and expression. I hope the listeners will hear the smiles.

Narrating made me think again about the limitations of print. Readers must supply their own tone of voice.