Have You Become a Bad E-Mailer?

It is a communication issue of the highest priority: You send out e-mails and you don't get a reply. I'm not talking just about e-mail you send to prospective customers, I'm talking e-mail to existing customers, alliance partners, and yes, even friends. I have been studying this phenomenon, and here is what is happening:

People are reading your e-mail, but they are not responding.

You might want to re-read that. It is quite simple -- well, not really. We are absolutely bombarded by information from all areas. You have e-mail, but you also have a Facebook account -- and maybe Twitter as well. You are on LinkedIn, and perhaps three other social media sites.

Isn't it true that people leave you messages on all of your sites?

I'm in three or four Ning groups, on Facebook,Twitter, LinkedIn, Biznik, and I'm not even sure where else off the top of my head. It's happened more than once that I read a message from someone then later can't remember where it was that I read it -- from my Facebook account, or...?

Here are a few tips that I have been starting to do:

• Respond right away when you read an e-mail. If you don't know the exact answer, at least reply that you will check it out and get back - so that the person knows you even saw it.
• Make a list - through software or even on your desk of the important people you need to be following up with.....customers, strategic partners, and those prospective clients you are keeping in close contact with. Keep it current.
• If you use Outlook, scroll down periodically if you are not handling your inbox as it was intended. If you use Gmail or get your e-mail through Google Apps, search by topic or name periodically.

Just don't be that guy or woman that people talk about -- you know, the one who everyone says never returns e-mail. It can creep up on you -- so stay on top of it.

What's in if for you to do this? Revenues.....opportunities.....relationships.