When do you answer your emails or private messages?

Beverly Level X³

January 23, 2014, 4:22 pm

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Part of the job of freelancer is knowing how to manage time well, but some things like checking/answering emails and private messages (from buyers and potential customers) can cut into the time you have for your work. And, while it's an essential part of the freelance process, all these minutes spent answering messages eat up your day. Do you have a specifically allotted time when you will check your emails or private messages and then respond? Or, do you respond as each message comes in?

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Riley

Riley

Checking emails and private messages from clients is an essential part of your work day. For instance, let's say you are working on a big project and don't check your emails or private messages and a client sends you a note with updates on the project which must be included. So you might put in a full eight hours work not knowing about these changes. Then you would have to go back and redo the work again or scrap the project and start over.

13 years ago

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Keith

Keith

I have all my personal email messages go to one inbox and business related emails go to another. There is no need to deal with the personal emails until the end of the day. If there is a real personal emergency, someone will call my phone.

13 years ago

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augusta

augusta

I leave my email notification on,so that o can reply very important messages swiftly or else one can miss a very important information which could cost money.

I don't have a specific time. I answer my mails as swiftly as possible.

9 years ago

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Beverly

Beverly

I have all my personal email messages go to one inbox and business related emails go to another. There is no need to deal with the personal emails until the end of the day. If there is a real personal emergency, someone will call my phone.

I don't get private emails, but sometimes friends will message me on Facebook. And, I've found the best way to deal with that is to simply stay off Facebook during work hours. And, if I need to be on for work related reasons, then I will set my chat status to appear offline to my friends list so they don't message me while I'm working.

13 years ago

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Griffin

Griffin

I don't get private emails, but sometimes friends will message me on Facebook.

Don't let people distract you like this. They're not dealing with your deadlines and have no idea what type of situation you are dealing with on the job. So keep focused on work and shut out distractions or they will eat up your available time and you won't earn money.

13 years ago

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tangee

tangee

I check at a certain time each day. Allow myself say 15 minutes to do this before heading back to work on any projects.

13 years ago

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Beverly

Beverly

I check at a certain time each day. Allow myself say 15 minutes to do this before heading back to work on any projects.

And, what are your techniques to ensure time doesn't slip away from you while you are checking messages?

13 years ago

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angie828

angie828

I check my messages throughout the day so in case new ones are coming in I get them right away. I check them about 6 in the morning, then again at noon, and then again after work.

13 years ago

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evie

evie

I usually check a few times a day, but might not answer back right away if I don't have time. But I always answer back within 24 hours.

13 years ago

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twilight

twilight

Whenever I have a free moment I will answer them. Which lately those have been few and far between.

13 years ago

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overcast

overcast

I prefer to read or write the answer mostly at the end of the work. I prefer not to disturb myself with email check every now and then. The reason being it does not add much value to my work. And also it is more like distraction mostly. So that's something I guess we have to think about as well. Most of the time emails are nothing but waste of time if they are just some sales bait.

9 years ago

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Corzhens

Corzhens

I am constantly monitoring my emails and private messages in Facebook because it is my lifeline not only to my freelancing but also to personal concerns including my office colleagues during weekends. Every hour at least, I try to check my emails and other messages.

9 years ago

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