Avoid Using Auto-Reply Messages Like the Plague

These days, do you hear anyone complaining that they don’t receive enough email?

“I wish I had more pointless messages coming into my overcrowded email box,” said no one ever.

This is why I am against using auto-reply messages for any reason other than their intended use: as an away message (and even then, we know it’s a bit misleading because most people stay connected even on vacation).

To give you some perspective: Last week, I received approximately 4,200 messages. Of them, about 250 were au...