"Moving you to BCC" email templates
When someone introduces you by email, the polite move is to thank them, move them to BCC so they stop getting the back-and-forth, and talk to the new contact. Saying so in the first line matters: it tells the introducer why they'll hear nothing more and tells the new contact the conversation is now theirs. This template does it in one sentence, then gets out of the way.
;gm-bcc;gm-bcc in any app.Variations
The same message for a different channel or tone. Copy the one that fits.
When the introducer went out of their way, or is someone you'd like to keep close.
For a big thread where only two or three people still need to be on it.
When to use it
- You've been introduced by email and you're replying for the first time.
- A thread started with a manager or partner who no longer needs every reply.
- Scheduling has begun and the person who connected you doesn't need to see calendar back-and-forth.
What to avoid
- Don't move someone to BCC silently. People notice they've been dropped and wonder why.
- Don't BCC the introducer if they asked to stay in the loop. Keep them on CC instead.
- Avoid it on internal threads where someone may need the history later. Forwarding them a summary is kinder.
The fields in this template
Retext fills these in when the snippet expands. In plain text they become [brackets] to replace by hand.
- Introducer name
{fill:Introducer name} - The first name of the person who connected you.
- New contact name
{fill:New contact name} - The first name of the person you were introduced to.
- Cursor
{cursor} - Where your cursor lands after the snippet expands, so you can start typing the personal part straight away.
- What they mentioned
{fill:What they mentioned} - A detail from the introduction, so the new contact knows you read it: "your work on the pricing project".
- People moved
{fill:People moved} - Names of everyone you're moving, e.g. "Priya and Tom".
Tips
- •In Gmail, click Cc and Bcc to show both fields, then drag the introducer's chip from To into Bcc before you type the trigger.
- •The person moved to BCC sees this one reply and nothing after it, because later replies from others only go to the visible recipients.
- •Send the introducer a one-line thank-you later if the introduction leads anywhere. It makes them more likely to introduce you again.
Works in Gmail, Outlook, Apple Mail and every other app
Retext types the snippet wherever your cursor is. To use a different version in one app, give it the same trigger and limit it to that app with per-app snippets. They go by app, not website, so every tab in your browser counts as one app.
Questions
What does "moving you to BCC" mean?
It means you've taken the person out of the To or CC field and put them in BCC. They get your reply, but nobody can see them, and replies from others won't reach them.
Is it rude to move someone to BCC?
It's considered polite after an introduction, as long as you say you're doing it and thank them. Doing it without a word is what feels rude.
How do I move someone to BCC in Gmail?
In the reply window, click Bcc to show the field, then drag the person's name chip from To or Cc into Bcc. You can also delete them from To and type them into Bcc.
Related templates
Introduction email
;em-introEmail & out of office
Hi [First person] and [Second person], Introducing you two, as promised. [First person]: [Second person] is [Who the sec…
Group thread reply
;gm-groupGmail
Hi all, Answering a few questions at once so this thread doesn't split: 1. [First question]: [First answer] 2. [Second q…
Meeting request
;em-meet-askEmail & out of office
Hi [Name], Could we find [Length] to talk about [Purpose]? By the end I'd like us to [Outcome]. Would [Option one] or [O…
Type ;gm-bcc, get the whole reply
Retext expands your snippets in every Mac app and fills in names, dates and order numbers for you.
Free to start. No account required on the Mac.