Keys to Successful Email Negotiation

Allen Schreiber • February 18, 2020
Allen Schreiber, Birmingham Arbitrator and Mediator

Every email exchange should be an attempt to bring the other side to the table in person—or at least get them on the phone.


But in this time of global interactions, email negotiation is sometimes unavoidable. Even if you’d prefer to hash it out over the phone, you might have no choice but to negotiate over email—particularly when it’s the preferred method of your counterpart.


When you find yourself in such a situation, use these four tips to increase the chances of getting the outcomes you are aiming for.

LESS IS MORE - keep your email to less than five sentences.


SET UP THE EMAIL - do not catch the other side off guard. Start off by mitigating the negatives first.


LAND IT - take the time to soften the tone!


ALWAYS END ON A POSITIVE NOTE - the last impression is the lasting impression.


Derek Gaunt wrote an article which is super helpful. I highly recommend the article and his blog.


Schedule your next ADR session via our convenient online calendar, or call Carol Waldrop at 855-754-8807.