Announcements, junk mail, task reminders, meeting requests, birthday greetings, job applications, and, even better, job offers!

All come to, and sometimes flow out from, our inboxes. It is easy to feel distanced from the digital communications that make up much or our daily lives and work. They come from “out there” somewhere.

If we become distant, however, we forget that very often on the other end of those emails are people, colleagues, and friends about whom we care. Those folks are our community and those who contribute to the quality of our lives—for more hours than we anticipated. We, too, contribute to the quality of their lives. This is the interactive exchange point where email can remind us about the power of communication for research and scholarly writing!

The first rule of great communication is: “It’s not about you; it’s about them.” It’s a great rule for research, scholarly, and grant writing, too.

What do they need to hear, learn, and know? Why is it important? And, how best will they hear the message?

Email, because it is one of our most consistent forms of textual communication, is a great reminder that when we write to an audience, we write to someone specific—on the other end of the message who has an inbox much like ours.

Reach out, connect, and share in meaningful ways. Via email, your scholarship, or in meetings.

We all long for connection.