There used to be a time when email was supposed to increase productivity. Yet, that is often not the case. Many users don’t use email as productively as they could, and you may be one of them! Consider these tips to improve the way you use email:

Skip attachments. Find alternate methods of sharing documents, such as Google Drive or Dropbox. It makes organization and colla-boration more efficient, and it’s easier to track who has what. Plus, many email clients, such as Gmail, are notorious for marking emails with attachments and links as spam.

Watch your replies. When you reply to an email, it’s too easy to write and send, not realizing who might end up with your message. If you receive a CC’d email with several names attached, be sure to reply only to the sender and not the group, unless it’s 100% relevant. It creates useless inbox clutter for others and wastes time.

Use the subject line effectively. When a subject line is vague or difficult to understand, it’s frustrating for the recipient. They might not even bother with it. Be clear and concise, while also being descriptive. The recipient should know what the email pertains to before they open it.

Not everything needs a reply. Replying to every email you get, or even a majority of them, wastes your time and the time of the recipient, especially if your reply doesn’t say anything meaningful (such as a thanks or acknowledgment of a previous email). Unless it’s absolutely necessary to continue a conversation, move on.