Many project management and CRM tools I've used provide an email address for each project in order to use it to forward an email update directly to the row (or use the CC with this email so the email record goes directly into the row comments/conversation). Smartsheets should offer the ability to view the address (for example, notification++[unique-adddress-here]@reply.smartsheet.com), copy it to use in email without first receiving an email from the project row. Our organization does not currently allow for email integration so we would need to use this address on a CC or forward emails to the row.