What Are Your E-mail Reply Expectations?

Do you expect those you e-mail to stop everything and respond — like now?  Are you one of those folks who after sending an e-mail, if a response is not received within an hour, you pickup the phone and ask “Didn’t you get my e-mail?”  

If someone expects a quick reply to an e-mail, should it be stated in the e-mail? Stating you expect a better than prompt response; would only be recommended when the topic or e-mail is time sensitive and genuinely important.  Which if that is the case, picking up the phone and calling the person directly is probably in order. To make an expedited claim with every e-mail (Are you an Return Receipt Abuser too?) dilutes your future requests — you have heard about the boy who cried “Wolf!”?

When someone takes the time to e-mail another, common courtesy dictates that you respond on a timely basis. Realizing the fact that “timely” is relative and subjective means you have to manage your expectations. And recipients have to do their best to respond as soon as they can. “Timely” could mean different things to different people. For business e-mails, “timely” is a competitive tool.

For those who have to pick up the phone within hours of sending an e-mail wondering if it was received due to a lack of reply; patience is a virtue. E-mails are not as instantaneous as they once were due to increased network traffic and possible geographic conditions. So rather than babysit your requests, why not work on other things and then do a follow-up e-mail the next morning? Proceeding in this manner reflects respect for the other side’s time.

Now that we have all the above on the table, keep in mind that in business “the early bird gets the worm.” Those who respond promptly and professionally will make a positive impression and show those who e-mail them how easy it will be to have business e-mail conversations with you. Delay responding and you risk looking uninterested, unorganized and unprofessional.

Some More Info for You:

1. Lightening Fast E-mail Reply Expectations
2. Business E-mail Reply Expectations? Pronto Tonto!
3. To Reply or Not to Reply
4. Unrealistic Response Expectations
5. Expectations of a Reply