When is it Time to Change the Subject in Your Business Emails?

Everyone has been involved in email discussions that go back and forth—sometimes for many emails. Or you’ve been part of these conversations where, and it does happen, you get to the point where you realize that you have veered off the original email’s subject matter.

Then, we also experienced those who hit Reply and began to discuss unrelated topics. The email conversation has moved on to a new topic or focus. It’s time for a Subject field change.

Changing the Subject Field is Welcomed

When this happens, change the Subject field to reflect the ongoing discussion’s new direction accurately. This will help both sides know which emails relate to which part of your discussion.

You can do this easily by adding the new Subject with a “WAS.” For example:

Subject: New Topic WAS: Old Subject Here

In subsequent replies that have nothing to do with the original topic, remove the “WAS” portion and all previous discussions listed below your new topic communication. Now, you have a clean new topic conversation in place.

Think twice before hitting the Reply button and typing about something unrelated to that specific conversation. Doing so will appear lazy and reflect a lack of organization.

It’s always best to start a new email when you have entirely off-topic questions or want to communicate on something completely different than the current subject field indicates. The Subject should always reflect the content within.

The best option is to create a new email with a subject that correctly reflects the topic you want to discuss. This will also help everyone involved be more organized.

Both sides can then accurately track their email conversations using the Subject: field. When everyone involved needs to refer to a particular discussion or email, they know where to look.

Nothing is more frustrating than searching your email folders for information in emails with irrelevant Subjects, especially in threads that go on and on. Don’t you agree?

Create Good Habits

Get into the habit of changing the Subject: field when called for or starting a new email. This will reflect a level of tech-savvy those you communicate with will appreciate.

It will also help you keep your email box and conversations more organized.