The Wall vs. The Group Message

Dear Friends,

I am writing a letter for all of you to see and read. I hope that you don't mind that I am addressing it to all of my friends. Please know that I will not do this often. I will only send a message to ALL of my friends if it is an important notification. I think letters should be personal. They should be written from one member to another member.

MyEC is a place to learn and share English. Private messages are not necessary unless they contain private information between two people. A better place to write comments and ideas for a group is to write a blog. You can also use members' walls. This way everyone can see the writing and benefit from it.

When you send a private message to 80+ friends, most of your friends probably do not even open the message. Most will not respond either. This is not because they don't like you. It's because time is precious. We save time for the things that matter most. A group message is sometimes considered SPAM. We don't have time to sort through all of it. Personally, I only read messages that are addressed to me.

In the past I sent my Writing Challenge notifications via a group message. I stopped doing that a few months ago. I realized that many of my friends are not interested in practising writing. Most friends probably didn't open my message because it was written to so many people. I realized my mistake. Now I only notify friends who have shown interest in my challenges. I write my message on their walls. Hopefully other friends who stop by their walls will see my invite too.

This is only my opinion. Do you agree with me? Please share your comments below.

Thank you to all of my friends who have taken the time to write a personal letter. Sometimes these notes get lost because my inbox is full of group messages. Unless you have a private concern or question, please consider writing your thoughts, introductions, or questions on my wall. I will do my best to write back on your wall or leave a comment on your blog.

Your friend,

Tara

There's 2 buttons for reply message. "reply" and "reply to all". when clicked to "reply to all" then everyone who have been received the message previously will get the copy of your reply.. Including your self. When clicked only to "reply" it should not happen.. It's safer not to click reply for group messages, because even when you didn't click "reply to all" the chain to first message with all those receivers names stays attacked.. so now when that other person will later send a reply to you to example thank you, for your reply.. and accidentally clicks to "reply to all" it will be sent to everyone. So when you reply, either leave the message to wall, or if it have private context start a new private message instead of clicking "reply".. this way it creates new thread that won't be connected to those group messages... Then even when one clicks "reply to all" the only ones who get the message are the 2 concerned ones. :)

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Comments

Tara Benwell April 27, 2010 14:05

Hi Juan,

Thanks for your opinion! Looking forward to the writing challenge submission. You are right about the mass emailing being easier. Unfortunately, it is abused by many so people like me don't read these exchanges. (We get too many.)
Tara Benwell March 8, 2010 14:17

Thanks for mentioning the "reply" and "reply all" feature. Some members may not realize that "reply all" adds to the inbox problem. This morning my inbox was very easy to sort through thanks to Friday's house cleaning day. :) Did you clean out your inbox?
Hardi March 6, 2010 22:31

There's 2 buttons for reply message. "reply" and "reply to all". when clicked to "reply to all" then everyone who have been received the message previously will get the copy of your reply.. Including your self. When clicked only to "reply" it should not happen.. It's safer not to click reply for group messages, because even when you didn't click "reply to all" the chain to first message with all those receivers names stays attacked.. so now when that other person will later send a reply to you to example thank you, for your reply.. and accidentally clicks to "reply to all" it will be sent to everyone. So when you reply, either leave the message to wall, or if it have private context start a new private message instead of clicking "reply".. this way it creates new thread that won't be connected to those group messages... Then even when one clicks "reply to all" the only ones who get the message are the 2 concerned ones. :)
Expector Smith March 6, 2010 10:12

I second your proposal, Tara. Just clear out the junk mail or spam in you inbox. But, make sure to keep the right mail coming.
Nebia March 5, 2010 20:43

I usually do that and I am going to do it now THANK YOU Tara
Monika March 5, 2010 17:26

It is a good idea.I'llsurely join you!My inbox is a mess.A big spring tidy-up is due (for my inbox).
Tara Benwell March 5, 2010 13:37

On that note...I'm going to declare today "International Clear out your Inbox Day at MyEC." Does anyone want to join me? It will feel so good to start fresh.
Tara Benwell March 5, 2010 3:33

I agree. Some do have good intentions. We don't want to report these people. We can just send them "gentle reminders" that it is better to send a private note between friends. If it is a message that is meant for all it belongs best in a blog post. It may even get featured on the site or in a newsletter. I encourage all of you to blog often. Monika: Hardi's first comment explains how to block a member if you are having trouble with someone.
Fizzy March 5, 2010 0:22

Dear Tara,

I agreed with you. I did received group msg. I know that some of EC members have a nice intention but when received it a lots.. i didnt even bother to open it.

and agreed with expectorsmith comment.. if that person is really want to be friends with you and want to continue with friendships..she/he should write personally to that person.
Expector Smith March 4, 2010 23:03

Hi Tara,
Yes, it's a good idea to wirte your message on others' walls. If I want Tara to comment on my blog, I should leave a comment on her wall to let her know. I noticed some members here tend to send group messages, even though they had a few special friends in mind who they wanted comments from.
It reminds of how people here send season's greets to each other by sending group text messages with a mobile phone. It's said that countless text messages were sent on Chinese Lunar New Year Eve. I received many messages with the same content from my friends - I knew they were group messages. In my opinion, if you really cherish a certain relationship with a friend, you sould send a spcial message to the person.
Good post!

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