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Workspace Essentials Posts
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Gemini
| #150

Gemini: 5 Pro Tips for Better Emails

“You can use AI to help you draft better emails” is probably how we all got introduced to ChatGPT and Google Gemini.

It’s such a common and easy-to-understand use case, there can’t possibly be any pro tips…right?

#1 The Two-Minute Rule

I’m surprised at how many of my colleagues try to “force” themselves to use Gemini in every possible situation, and they end up being inefficient.

💡
Pro tip: If the email can be dealt with within 2 minutes, write it yourself and don’t use Gemini

#2 High-stakes Email

If you’re struggling with identifying the right words to use for high-stakes emails (which is probably taking you a lot longer than 2 minutes), use Gemini.

Prompt Example

Assume the role of an empathetic communicator.

I'm approaching burnout at work from juggling 5 projects as part of my core job while helping interview 3 new candidates a week.

Your task is to draft an email to my manager letting her know about my situation.

I don't want to make it seem like I'm complaining about the work, the reality is that I'm stretched too thin.

Use a polite yet firm tone.

#3 Contextual Refinement

Unless you use Gemini on a daily basis, it’s hard to think of all the relevant context to include in your first prompt.

Gemini’s “memory” has gotten so good that you can (and should) follow up with additional information if the first initial output isn’t what you were looking for.

Example

  1. Initial prompt - "Write a draft email declining a job offer."
  2. Follow up 1 - "Make it sound more apologetic and suggest I'm open to future opportunities."
  3. Follow up 2 - "Add a line expressing gratitude for their time."

#4 Give Me Options

This one is insanely practical: simply append “give me 3 variations” at the end of your prompt.

Example

Pegah just connected me with a freelance designer, who just sent over a design proposal that’s out of my budget by US$ 500.

Reply to the proposal letting them know I’m extremely interested in working with the designer and would like to figure out whether there’s anything we can do to bring the price down or cut scope.

Use a polite yet firm tone. Give me 3 variations.

#5 Use Gemini for Free in Gmail

Normally you would need to buy the Google AI Premium Plan to use Gemini from within Gmail (via the “Help me write” feature) but if you live in one of these countries, you can sign up for Workspace Labs and get this feature for free!

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