Netiquette: Don't CC When You Can BCC
CC and BCC are email tools to use when trying to get your message out to a few people or to 50. However, they should be used quite differently or else you will find yourself on the wrong side of netiquette, whether sending to a customer or friend.
CC stands for “Carbon Copy”. Do you watch Mad Men? Notice how the ladies type on their typewriters with a piece of carbon paper then use that to roll out copies to all the, um, Mad Men? Think of CC on your email client as just that. Sending an important item to one person, than CC’ing the rest of the group should only be used when you are trying to have a multi-person conversation with feedback, and you want everyone involved on that conversation and can see others that are in the conversation. Most of the time, it is for people you know, and they know you.
When do you use BCC? BCC stands for “Blind Carbon Copy”. Meaning, your list is “blind” to everyone else. This should be used (sparingly) when sending anything. For one, some people think it is a sneaky way to send emails without the other’s knowledge. So limit that.
The one time you should be using BCC, is when you feel absolutely compelled to send a chain letter, jokes you only think are funny, political diatribes and other useless information I just do not want. Ever. But, if you send them as a BCC, I won’t get nearly as angry than if you send it by CC. On a BCC reply, I will just write “UNSUBSCRIBE” and please ask you to stop. If you CC me with 150 other people I do not know with a Nigerian Prince offering a million dollars, I will unsubscribe and have you blacklisted. Blacklisting may be a little harsh, but I will not be happy.
So, lesson here today. Use CC when you need to send an email with a multi-person conversation and in need of feedback and communication from (hopefully) people you all know and/or work together.
Only use BCC on useless garbage you feel compelled to send to many people for fun, just because if you don’t, you will have bad luck for 12 years if you don’t send it out to 250 people immediately. So says Saint Jude. Or Saint Oprah.
And, if you are the recipient of a CC or BCC chain letter or garbage of that ilk and you do not want anymore emails, even if it is from your sister-in-law or best friend from 1st grade, the most courteous and best thing you can do is simply unsubscribe from their future emails. You can also try to explain why they need to stop, even though it may fall on deaf ears. Always educate others.
And, if you are constantly sending out information on your business, you need to get a permission-based email system like Constant Contact to use that has an opt-out/unsubscribe at anytime. It’s the law. Constant Contact is a valued sponsor and partner for Geek Girl Camp. We highly recommend them for the best permission-based email system available. Check them out here.
Hurt feelings over email do not take precedent on your valuable time. And sanity.
STOP THE MADNESS!