So, you want to reply to an email. Do you ever check to see who got the email? Was it three people, ten people, or fifty people?
It matters because if the email was sent to fifty people, you probably don’t want to use Reply All.
Think about it—everyone may not need your reply. Unnecessarily clicking Reply All can create email clutter and hide more critical messages.
Here’s a good example: A department admin emails the entire department about Dr. Smith’s birthday.
Reply All to wish him well?
No, everyone doesn’t need to see your reply. Just click Reply, clear out the original email address, enter Dr. Smith’s email address, and wish away!
Think before you use Reply All with:
- a listserv message with a large audience (such as a departmental listserv)
- a message that has 20+ recipients (unless they all need to know what you have to say)
- a message that went to everyone in the department