Don’t Misuse Email Priority Flags Please

When I’m sending an email, I hardly ever think to use the importance or priority flags. In my opinion, if something is of "high importance" and I’m sending it by email, then I’ll also follow-up with a phone call, or replace the email completely with a phone call.

I received the email captured above in the image earlier today. I’ve blurred out the identifying information so as not to completely "out" the offending company or organization.

You can kind of get the gist of the email and that it’s basically a conference follow-up email. No real information, just letting me know that I can take advantage of a discount for a future whatever with the company.

Is that really of "High importance"?

I think not.

If you’re an organization and you’re sending out emails like this, do yourself and your readers a favor. Be up front. This is not of "High importance". It’s informational at best. Technically there’s absolutely no reason I would "need" to read this email at all. If this email got caught in my spam filter instead, and I never saw it, my day really would not have been impacted negatively.

If it’s not absolutely crucial that I have to absolutely, first thing I do today, push aside all other responsibilities and just come straight to my Inbox and read this message…

it’s NOT of HIGH IMPORTANCE!