This post isn’t really about me.
It’s about how to work effectively in a team– whether you’re part of a digital marketing agency, a sports team, a church group, or any kind of organization where collaboration matters.
Working as a Team, Not in Isolation
I receive hundreds of messages a day. But this isn’t about my inbox. It’s about building a strong team where the right people handle the right things.
That’s why we created the Level 1 guide— so every new team member can learn how to function as part of a team. It’s not just for virtual assistants. It’s for anyone who’s never worked on a team before.
The RACI Framework
In any well-functioning team, roles are clearly defined:
Too often, I get messages sent only to me. Not because I’m the best person to handle them– but because some team members, especially newer ones, haven’t learned what it means to work within a team structure.
- Responsible– The person doing the work.
- Accountable– The one ultimately answerable.
- Consulted– People who provide input.
- Informed– Those who just need to be kept in the loop.
This framework is called #RACI, and we emphasize it heavily in the Level 1 Virtual Assistant Course. Miscommunication often happens when we ignore this structure. For example, when a VA messages me directly instead of the person responsible, they’re assuming I’m the only one who can answer– which is rarely true.
You almost never need to message only me.
Email Done Right
If you need to inform me of something, copy me (Cc). That’s what the “I” in RACI is for.
But don’t expect a response from me unless it’s critical. My goal is to build a team where I no longer need to be the emergency firefighter. We get there by making sure every team member follows the communication principles outlined in our guides.
Here’s what not to do:
Send an email just to me asking for input, decisions, or updates.
Instead, do this:
Loop in the right RACI roles so the message goes to the person responsible– with me copied if needed.
The “Reply All” Trap
Just as bad as the “message only Dennis” mistake is the “reply all” habit.
Hitting reply all to every email doesn’t show you’re a team player– it creates noise. It makes it harder for the right people to focus and for accountability to stick. If everyone’s copied, no one owns the task.
So be thoughtful. Who needs to take action? Who should stay informed? Who can be left out?
This is how high-performing teams communicate.
Final Thought
If you’re guilty of messaging only me, don’t worry– you’re not alone. Most people who haven’t worked in teams fall into this trap. But now you know better.
We created the Level 1 Specialist Course exactly for this reason. Read it. Practice RACI. Respect the team. And let’s work smarter– together.
Dennis Yu
Dennis Yu is a former search engine engineer who has spent a billion dollars on Google and Facebook ads for Nike, Quiznos, Ashley Furniture, Red Bull, State Farm, and other organizations that have many locations.
He has achieved 25% of his goal of creating a million digital marketing jobs because of his partnership with universities, professional organizations, and agencies. Companies like GoDaddy, Fiverr, onlinejobs.ph, 7 Figure Agency, and Vendasta partner with him to create training and certifications.
Dennis created the Dollar a Day Strategy for local service businesses to enhance their existing local reputation and make the phone ring. He's coaching young adult agency owners who serve plumbers, AC technicians, landscapers, roofers, electricians in conjunction with leaders in these industries.
Mr. Yu believes that there should be a standard in measuring local marketing efforts, much like doctors and plumbers need to be certified and licensed. His Content Factory training and dashboards are used by thousands of practitioners.