When it comes to ongoing Business e-mail conversations amongst a group folks, there are a few things to keep in mind.
One of the most important mistakes made is that all too often there is a lack of thought when clicking “Reply to All”. Unless “all” needs to be aware or cares about your comments — which is usually not the case — one should remove any e-mail address of those that don’t need or wouldn’t be interested in your comments.
Then, you add that many don’t make the effort to down-edit their ongoing conversations and you have a mess and opportunity for miscommunication. When everyone has to weed through all the back and forths, the conversation looses its focus.
Here are three little tips to consider when you find yourself involved in an ongoing back and forth e-mail conversation:
- Use Reply to All sparingly and only when absolutely necessary. The majority of times, editing down the list of addresses to those who your comments directly apply to is recommended.
- Always down-edit the e-mail you are responding to so it includes only what is required for the clarity of the continuing conversation.
- 3) If the overall topic of the conversation takes a new direction, do change the Subject: field to note the new focus. For example: Subject: Trade Show Details and Links WAS: What’s up with the trade show itinerary?
HTH!
Some More Info for You:
![[Business E-mail Etiquette eBook]](http://www.businessemailetiquette.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/bee-2012-100x140.png)
![[Take The Email Etiquette Pledge]](http://www.emailetiquettepledge.com/ee-rev-medium.jpg)
Great points. I can’t tell you how many times that I am lost in the shuffle of a reply all free for all. I can’t stand it, especially when it’s about something having nothing to do with me.
Maybe I should create a mass e-mail and include a link to this. Taste of their own medicine.
Hello,
Thanks for stopping by! If you do a mass-email be sure to use BCc!
If you think about it, all this is about is taking the time to communicate with clarity, pay attention to detail and not increase the noise in other’s inboxes. Both of which are good business skills to acquire and get in the habit of using.
Just hitting Reply to All and not down-editing really smacks of a lack of tech savvy. In addition, by being lazy you reflect what it will be like to do business with — not good impression to say the least!
At your service,
Judith
I actually use the BCC feature a lot since I have to send out a mass e-mail once a month. Nothing more profitable than a company taking that list and turning it around and selling it.
Just wish there was an easy e-mail program to send e-mailers and PDFs from.
Hello, TSD:
And individuals do take those exposed addresses and use them! Wish more folks were as informed and considerate as you are. Maybe check out Vertical Response for your mailings. Very inexpensive and gives you a professional look with all the bells and whistles. I’ve used them for years and recommend them highly to all my clients. HTH!
At your service,
Judith
P.S. Your comments have been on topic so that is why I have broken my usual rule of not approving comments where visitors use their keywords instead of their name. Please do me a favor and on future comments, use your name so we all know who we are talking to. (See the link at the top of the page — Comment Policy). TYVM!
Judith,
It would my pleasure to use my real name. Sorry for the confusion. Which program would you recommend for mass e-mailers that contain photos or links? Our client list is over 300 so we want to make sure that a lot, if not all, the e-mails are received.
Thanks Colin!
That’s so much better than trade show display guy! Check out the link in my previous reply for VR — they’ll be exactly what you are looking for. 300 is not a very large list and because they use cleared servers (and you agree to their policies to not spam, fully identify yourself, have an unsub link in every mailing, etc.) your mailing stands a much better chance of making it through the network.
Their pricing for 1000 e-mails is only 15.00 and you can add photos and spruce things up as much as you like. Check it out and let me know what you think.
HTH!
Take care ~
Judith