Responding to in-depth emails from readers

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   Tracy Lynn Conwayposted 6 years ago

   Over the years I have been receiving lengthy emails from readers of my hubs and I have struggled with knowing the best way to respond. Some readers are asking for personal advice or for me support my research, but each one is different. If you have received lengthy responses from readers via email, please let me know what your approach has been to responding to them?
   
   Thanks!

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      jansharesposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      I answer them, Tracy. Although reading long questions/comments can be tedious, I try to answer as concisely as possible. Sometimes I'll wait until I have time and comeback to read and answer them.

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      Urbane Chaosposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      I always answer all my emails.  It can be a pain sometimes, but look at it this way - it's another opportunity to earn more.  Most of us are writers, but we also have to think like business people.  Anytime you can get a conversion, it's worth a shot. 
      
      Some of the things I do, depending on content:
      
      - Invite them to join a mailing list.  That's great to help people stay up to date with your articles, websites, etc. (long-term earnings)
      
      - Send them to your e-store.  I use RedBubble a lot.
      
      - Mentioned a couple days ago, invite them to buy your book.  I have put together several through CreateSpace/KDP.
      
      - Invite them to try your online courses.
      
      And so on.. have a YouTube site? Get them to subscribe.  Run a website?  Get them to become a member.
      
      On average, I see a 4% conversion rate.  That's not very high but every cent adds up.

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   3. 86

      jansharesposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Just realized I didn't read the forum post clearly. I never get emails, I don't think it's activated. I was referring to comments on articles. Due to my profession, I prefer to set boundaries with emails unless it's a current client or new clients requesting services.

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         Urbane Chaosposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         Comments on articles are a different story.  If they add value, I always answer, otherwise I'll let them be.
         
         On average, I usually get a handful of emails a month, so it's not a big deal to answer them.  To help keep time down, I try to automate everything I can.  With questions that are a little more in-depth, I'll put the answers on one of my sites and then link back to it. 
         
         And yes, you have to have boundaries otherwise it can get overwhelming!

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            jansharesposted 6 years agoin reply to this

            Absolutely, Urbane Chaos.

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      Jean Bakulaposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      That's a hard one, Tracy. If it's on the Q&A, I answer as much as I can, as it helps our readership on articles. But as an astrologer, I do engage deeply with my readers, and some of them come to me with really difficult problems. I am an ordained minister of a nondenominational Church, so that helps me to give spiritual advice to people who I think are suffering or desperate.
      
      You don't have to answer them fast, or all at once. You can also screen them to see which are not important.

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2. STAFF

   Larry Slawsonposted 6 years ago

   I've had quite a few emails myself. I always try to answer them when I can. Often times they are from students (college and high-school) wanting my opinion on something for their research or class assignments. Its difficult to answer them all, but I definitely think it makes a difference in maintaining my viewing audience and earnings (in the long term).

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   Kenna McHughposted 6 years ago

   I answer them making sure my answers are not long-winded and too the point. I notice the positive influence on my overall ratings.

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   Doneta Wrateposted 6 years ago

   Interesting advice.  I hope I have that problem some day in the future.

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5. 77

   Tracy Lynn Conwayposted 6 years ago

   Janshares, Kenna, Larry and Urbane, thank you for sharing your experiences!
   
   Janshares, I am going to give some more thought about setting some boundaries when it comes to these emails.

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6. 62

   EricFarmer8xposted 6 years ago

   I responded to some and I ignored a few. If anything I always post a quick response.

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