To really get your idea across, reach for the phone AND your computer. The phone adds urgency and personality to your e-mail, while an e-mail can quickly convey and store detailed or complicated information. Your goal is to keep your correspondents from having to jot down notes on the phone, while letting them know that your message is important enough for a phone call.

The order — phone first or later — depends on your message. It may be most effective to send an e-mail with all the information, adding, “I’ll call you on Thursday to hear your opinion.” Or, you can use your phone call to cover the basics, adding, “I’ll e-mail you with the details of our conversation.”