When to Use Reply, Reply All, Cc, and Bcc
Eric Nunes
Last Update 3 years ago
Reply vs Reply All
Use Reply when you only want to send your message to a single person in an email thread (either the original sender of the email or the last person to reply in the thread). Reply All when you want to respond to every person on the thread.
When to Use Reply
When only the person who sent the email prior needs to see the response.
When more than 50% of people on the thread do not need to see the response.
If there is a large group of people on the thread or in the group and they do not need to see the response.
When to Use Reply All
If your response will impact at least 50% of the people on the thread.
If others on the email will be confused if they do not see your response.
If you are on an email thread with a small group of people working on the same project.
If you think others on the thread might have the same question you have.
If your manager solicits feedback from everyone on the email thread.
Cc vs Bcc
Cc stands for Carbon Copy and Bcc stands for Blind Carbon Copy. These are used when you want to include someone in an email, but it does not necessarily warrant their response.
When to Use Cc
When other people should be included in the thread.
When part of the thread will impact someone's decision making.
When someone on the thread should be kept in the loop.
When to Use Bcc
When sending out a mailer where the subscribers should be private.
When sending an email to a large email list or group.
When recipients do not know each other.
For impersonal emails that do not warrant responses.
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