Apr
07
2011

The Weekly Debate (17): Responding to Emails

 good ol' communication // source

At some point in every busy blogger’s life (or anyone that has a presence online), I think we all ask ourselves: should I respond to all emails? There is no doubt that responding to emails takes chunks of precious time, so where is the line between obligation, plain courtesy, and simple preference?

Ideally, I would love to respond to each and every email. I know everyone that bothers to email me takes the time to look at my blog and send an email my way and I feel honored that anyone out there would contact me. (Yes, it sounds like I have abysmally low self-esteem, but it still amazes me that people actually like to hear what I have to say. I literally have a mini-adrenaline rush every time I see a new comment pop-up in my inbox. My fellow book bloggers, do you ever get over that?) But… here’s what I’ve been doing:

OTHER BLOGGERS/READERS – I always, always respond. (If I haven’t, it’s probably because I missed your email *is an airhead*, in which case, I’m sorry!) Communication is one of my favorite and, in my opinion, a key aspect to blogging, so it’s extremely important that the connection in the blogosphere and between blogger and reader is established and maintained. I started my blog to share my thoughts, and that’s what I want to keep doing. No homework pile is going to stop me. *dons Catwoman suit*

For the record, if I get mauled by a werewolf, shot by an elven archer, sneezed on by a dragon -- I will die responding. Amen.


AUTHORS/PUBLISHERS – … This is the part I’m really uncertain about. I used to respond to every review request I received, regardless of if I accepted or declined. For ones I declined, I always tried to give specific reasons for why I really didn’t think the book fit the usual types of books I enjoy and/or review. But now that I receive many more requests than, say, I did in early 2010, my most legit reason half-to-most of the time is “I don’t have enough time.” Should I email quickly back just to say that? I'm a bit hesitant on this kind of response because I feel like it might be more offensive than me not responding.

The review requests that I’m really interested in (as in I'm 96.5% certain I'll enjoy), I email back almost immediately. However, for most others, I put them in the starred section of my inbox, telling myself I’ll consider reviewing them... then usually forget.  Despicable, despicable me. 

As for when I email authors and they don't respond, I'm not offended. I realize that we are all busy, busy people, and I know that a lack of response isn't from malicious intent. Or I hope not. *bouts of insecurity*

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So what do you guys think: 

• Is it vital to respond to all emails regardless of the subject matter -- so is it a question of courtesy or self-discretion? 

• For my fellow book bloggers out there, what do you do?

• For readers and authors/publishers, what kind of response would you prefer to see?

communication off trees // source
Posted by Jenn (Books At Midnight) at 8:28 PM
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Donna @ Bites's avatar - Go to profile

Donna @ Bites 84p · 729 weeks ago

I'm a bit OCD when it comes to answering emails. I don't like stuff lingering around in my inbox so it gets dealt with pretty much immediately. The only time I don't respond to an email is when someone tries to get me to review something without reading my guidelines. They couldn't be clearer so it's very obvious when a request comes in that doesn't follow my guidelines. Those get deleted without being responded to. My thought process? You can't be bothered to read my guidelines, I can't be bothered to read your email. Period.

Everything else, even if it's a review request I'm not interested in, I respond. I don't respond to all comments but I try to remember them and go back later when I can comment and try to remember what I was going to say.

In terms of authors, I'd like something back, even if it's an out of office thank you that my email did end up where intended and not in the ether. That at least the author got it and they'll see my gushing praise. For publishers, I'm impartial. I haven't emailed a publisher in a while asking for a review book but the publishers and publicists I do talk to now are quick to respond.
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Jenn's avatar - Go to profile

Jenn 64p · 729 weeks ago

Haha, I have 7972 unread emails in my inbox, and I've never gotten used to pressing the delete button...

I agree that it is very obvious when someone just grabs your email and emails you, either when it's not personalized or they want me to review a book about better parenting. Really? I'm 16. Those emails make me bristle.

Anyways, I think your dedication to responding is really admirable! :)
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Audrey · 729 weeks ago

I feel terrible because I'm pretty sucky with emails! like many, I'm always excited to see that little (1) in the inbox, but responding to anything it might take me a day or two. I usually flag them (and will usually forget to do this as well) but then when I go through my inbox I'll remember an email I didn't respond to, *headdesk* a bit, feel really guilty, then respond with a million apologies :p I don't know why but I'm with you on the declining books thing, it might take me even a week or something to reply (and I usually do use the "I'm too busy" excuse... bad me).

When authors/bloggers don't immediately respond to emails, I'm definitely not offended, I totally understand and assume everybody probably has tons of things going on :) Well, this is kind of a wake-up call, I guess! I will be better, I will, I will! Great post Jenn!
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Jenn's avatar - Go to profile

Jenn 64p · 729 weeks ago

Lol, I smiled when I got your email response for the HS bloggers thing, and I was going to reply back last night, but forgot too, gahh... I'm not offended at all because I'm EXACTLY like that. :P

Well, better late than never! And you still respond, so that's good. Wow, I think I need to make a resolution to reply and just say I'm busy (though I don't think I will for some that have been rusting in my inbox for weeks).

Woot for express response resolutions!
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Holly · 729 weeks ago

I love checking my inbox and finding lots of new emails but I do agree, it can be tiresome to read and respond to so many emails. I've found that using the flagging feature helps a lot, I simply flag the emails that i plan on responding to when I have a bit more time. It works really well for me :)
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Jenn 64p · 729 weeks ago

I flag too, but I think I have some kind of disorder that makes me flag everything I think may be remotely important, haha. But I'm glad it works for you! :)
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Jan von Harz · 729 weeks ago

I have some very similar feelings to my emails especially those from authors and publishers. I feel guilty if I don't respond and if I don't really want to read the book. Lately, I have been getting a lot of requests for ebooks, which I do not read and that gives me the excuse I need to respectfully decline, but I also end up starring some and then end up forgetting. Most of the emails I get from other blogger are follow ups to a comments I have made on their blogs and do not feel I need to respond to those or they are for a contest. These I may check out, but I rarely respond with an actual email. I am really amazed just how much time blogging takes and emails are just another aspect of it.
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Rebecca · 729 weeks ago

As an author, I understand that I will not always hear back from a potential reviewer. I would suggest writing on your review policy that, as much as you would like to respond personally to every inquiry, time doesn't always allow it. Then add a time frame in which, if you are going to respond, you will do so--say three days. That way an author knows that if he/she hasn't heard from you in that amount of time, you are currently unable to review their book. I know it's not as nice as a personal reply, but as your website grows that is just going to get harder and harder. And you can always respond personally when you feel like it/have the time! But if an author has read your policy, they won't be expecting it.
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Jenn 64p · 729 weeks ago

Ohh, it's nice to hear from the perspective of an author. And that's a great idea that I think I'll actually implement, thanks! :)
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Tara · 729 weeks ago

I always respond to bloggers who e-mail me. I respond to most authors and publishers, but not all. If it's really obvious that it's a form e-mail where the sender just grabbed my e-mail without reading my review policy, I don't reply and usually just delete. Maybe I'm just mean, but I took the time to write a really specific review policy, and if you couldn't take the time to read it, why should I review your book?

If it's a general pitch e-mail where the publisher says "respond if interested" I only respond if i am interested, I don't want to clog up their e-mail.

I recently told an author that I didn't have time to review their book and was told "okay, I'll wait", so I had to say, "No, really. I don't have the time. Won't be able to review for a long time." So, that was awkward. :
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Jenn's avatar - Go to profile

Jenn 64p · 729 weeks ago

Mmhm, exactly. LOL at the awkward instance though. xD
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deleted8578366 88p · 729 weeks ago

I'm usually good at replying to emails but I'm bad at replying in a TIMELY manner (especially because of school. And life. Grawr.). But for all review requests, whether I'm interested or not, I always give them an answer and thank them profusely for their offers (because I still can't over the fact that they considered *me*. O_O!) The only times I don't respond is when I get weird emails where some people are like "you have to read this and here, let me attach the book in this email..." Ugh. If you can't read my review policy (where I clearly state what I read and don't read) then I will not bother answering!!!
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Nikki · 729 weeks ago

I try so hard to answer every single email I get, but sometimes it doesn't happen. I'm usually good about replying to other bloggers/readers and authors too, but some emails fall through the holes. I find it difficult to turn down some review requests and I hate writing the emails saying thanks, but no thanks. Oftentimes, I hold off on writing back and a few requests linger too long and I neglect to respond. I'm working on being a bit better about it though.

I'm not sure if publishers and marketing companies really want to be inundated with responses that decline reviews. It's probably easier for them to just be reading the ones that accept reviews, but I don't really know. For all I know, they want all their offers to get a response of some sort. Generally I respond, but there's been a few that I never got around to.
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aussiessay · 423 weeks ago

Sometimes this kind of messages gives us a beautiful feeling which cannot be expressed in words. This email made me realize that I should send this message to my all friends and reminds them that I love all.

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