E-mail subject lines

Question:

Why should I use a subject line for messages I send?

More information:

It’s good Netiquette - Subject lines help people know what your message is about. Some people get so much mail they don’t read some messages until later, the more relevant the subject, the more likely they are to read it. Subjects are particularly helpful when you send information they need later and they have to come back to the message. I couldn’t tell you the number of times I can’t find (notice) a message because people respond to a not related topic and do not change the subject.

  • If you sent driving directions under a message titled "Hi", they might not be able to find the message later.
  • Or if you sent the time of a meeting after school to someone by replying to a message (and not changing their subject) titled "luncheon".
  • Someone sends out an announcement that the time of the Homecoming game changed and someone replies to the message with a question like "how can coach soccer next term".
    If you really want them to get the information or to get back to you, you should use a proper subject line.

    Some e-mail programs will refuse mail by filtering empty subject lines or subjects like "HI" since that makes it look unimportant.

    Last modified by Gary LaPointe at August 4, 2006 11:43 AM. (ID #TT000313)
    This entry was posted in the following categories: E-mail , Filtering
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