Lately, I have been receiving a lot of email; quick questions about a trim colour there, a wall colour over here, requests for on-line consultations, other bloggers asking for advice, advertising, etc. All of these emails require a response, and I’ve noticed that sometimes it takes me a day or two to respond, and other times I wake up in the night wondering which ones I’ve missed or forgotten to hit reply. Why do I wake up in the night you ask? Because I really care about anyone who takes the time to send me a note.
flickrCase in point, yesterday I received this note:
Hi Maria, I was just on your blog and wanted to run an idea past you. I’m looking for ways to get more entries into my ugg boot giveaway and I was hoping you might consider writing a short paragraph or linking to my competition? 
If you are interested, the link is here and if you post that link to your blog it contains a code so that I can see how many entries you have sent.
What do you think of the idea?
This was my response:
Hi Alicia,
Well if my blog was about fashion it would be a great idea, however, it doesn’t really fit in to what my blog is about. I do appreciate the offer though!
There are some big blogs that are all about fashion, I would approach them. You can link to a couple from my side bar, here and here and then they’ll have a huge blog list on their sidebar as well.
Good Luck with it.
Warm regards, Maria
And then her response was:
Ok, no problem, I understand, thanks for letting me know so quickly.
Best wishes,
Alicia
The reason I’m telling you this little story–other than the fact that I am now promoting an ugg boot giveaway on my design blog (am I clever or what? 🙂 is this little exchange got me to thinking. . .
We would never ignore a customer that walked into our store. And a blog could be considered a type of store. We are either in a business we are trying to promote or if we are doing it for fun, it could still potentially turn into something cool with paying advertisers, etc. Just like in Julie & Julia.
So why is it okay to ignore another blogger? Such as someone who is asking for advice, or an email like the one above, which may not necessarily fit in with your blog?
When I first started out, I emailed big blogs that I admired, asking for advice, etc. One I repeat, one big blogger emailed me back and answered my question and you know what? Every time I go over to her blog, I feel warm and fuzzy just looking at it.
The other ones that didn’t respond, with them I have the opposite feeling. And granted they are busy, I get it but that is the world of blogging. Regardless of how big your blog gets, you can’t ignore the followers that got you there in the first place.
You wouldn’t ignore a customer that just walked into your store would you? If you did, they might tell ten people and that wouldn’t be good for business would it? I for one, wouldn’t shop there. Nor would I want to follow a blog knowing that every time I go there that blogger ignored my email, or after posting several comments NEVER posts a comment on my blog!
‘ It’s VERY expensive’
When someone acknowledges you or takes the time to respond or is courteous, it makes you feel good right? Alternatively, we feel ignored or not important. So it’s not about being famous or big as much as letting people know that they are important enough to receive a response from you!
Bottom line, if you sent me a note and I didn’t respond, it somehow got lost in my piles of email so please send it again! And thank you to all of you who read my blog, I love you!!
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So funny that you should post this now, as I spent the past 4 hours going through my inbox making sure I responded to everything. I try to respond immediately when I get emails, but if I am away from my computer and things back up, it takes me hours to go through them. I hear you with commenting…I have 300 blogs in my RSS reader, and it can be daunting to comment. But I'm trying to be better! I appreciate the reminder that we wouldn't ignore people going into our stores!
From a teeny ti blogger to a much bigger blogger, "Thanks Maria!" for taking time to visit and comment. I have always appreciated it so much!!
Oh, Maria, this is such a pertinent question, and one that I wrestle with. I didn't know anything about followers or commenters when I started blogging. I made a commitment to myself to do a blog for a year. But I fall so far behind with the reading of my followers' blogs that I sometimes want to give it up. It's a hard issue, and you raised a lot of good questions! Thanks…
What a great post!
I couldn't agree more, Maria.
I think I need to do a post about this. It is so hard to keep track of all of the e-mails. I think we all have the best of intentions, but sometimes e-mails just stack up and I'm sure there are several that get lost.
Made by Girl blogger Jennifer Ramos is just wonderful. Like you, she is generous with her time and her knowledge.
Happy weekend, Maria.
xo
Brooke
Maria – Thinking outside the box! Excellent idea. You've inspired me to do the same and to redesign my blog. What do you think (still much to do!)
http://www.colorspecialist-charlotte.blogspot.com
Maria,
I will always be grateful to you & other well-seasoned bloggers who consistently take the time to firmly but gently guide us towards a healthier & happier blogging experience!
At the end of my day, it's not really about the number of followers or visits or comments I have received that is important. It's about realizing that I have connected & made good friendships with people. Suddenly my bloggy friends in Canada, Australia, & many other places, feel like next door neighbors!
I agree with you that good manners are important & appreciated. Realizing that I was missing a few comments here & there on previous posts, I tried the recent comments gadget. That only let's me see 5 comments. Then I tried moderating every comment but I was slow to post them. Finally, being the slow-poke that i am, I realized, duh, that I can simply have blogger email me with any new comments. This makes replying much faster & i don't miss anyone…but then you already knew that…oh my this has turned into War & Peace.
Love you Maria, have a great weekend!
Lisa
Maria
I love that your blog isn't just about colour & design, but the BUSINESS of colour & design. It is what sets you apart.
In some companies you could lose your job for not responding to emails promptly. Every email is a lead or a potential customer. I have often been amazed at the lack of response I get when I reach out to people… Great reminder Maria.
I get the warm and fuzzy's every time I get on this blog called… Colour Me Happy..:-)
Most of the time I am confused with the rules of blogging…so I just do my best to talk back to emails…am I to email someone who comments on my blog? If so I did not know that rule…oh boy I'm in trouble I think…
I loved how this post twisted to advertise her UGG boots, that was so cute…made me smile.
Here's a question…a few months ago I left comment on a Calgary persons blog…that I would help her with design for free…just because I can if I want to and from the pictures of her house I think she could use some help to tweek a few things…(I did not mention that in my comment,by the way) I asked her to email me back yes or no so I would get some kind of answer, well I never heard from her at all…I feel stupid, I was just trying to make a new friend…she seems so nice on her blog…Was I wrong to offer?
Man what was that ramble…but I feel better…I think I needed to tell someone, I really consider you a friend…thanks for listening. Regards, Carol Ann x
When I was first starting my blog a year ago, there were a couple of bloggers who responded to my requests for help, but Ronda at http://www.allthebestblog.com repeatedly went above and beyond to help me out, even emailing me HTML code for her own blog for me to copy into mine! I was impressed at how she took the time to help me.
Here's my question, however. If you got some emails from people who wanted you to write about them on your blog, but you didn't think their work or them were right for your blog would you feel compelled to write about them anyway? Probably not, and you couldn't write about everyone who asked you to otherwise your blog would become a mish mash with no focus.
Here's my rule for figuring out who to include and who not to: Our customers are our readers. Who would our readers like to know about? Not just the one reader who's asking you to write about them, but most readers of your blog.
If you had a bricks and mortar store selling bedding and someone came in and asked for a pair of Uggs, you'd try to sell them bedding, right? You wouldn't try to start selling Uggs the next week just because someone asked. You might send them to a store that did, and go so far as to provide them a phone number and directions. Next time they need bedding, they'll come to your store because you helped them. That's customer service.
Very good advice. Thank you. I hope I may get as big as you 🙂 and stay as friendly.
Hi Rebecca,
I posted the exchange I had with this woman because it was the email that got me to thinking about how it's so much easier to ignore an email than someone that might walk into your store, or even if it was someone selling you something. You would simply decline politely. That's all I'm talking about.
I'm trying to figure out what I've said in this post that has everyone worried about commenting on every single blog on their reader? My point is, it's just polite to return the favour if someone comments on your blog.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment!
Warm regards,
Maria
Great post, Maria! I am a relative newbie blogger and love all the advice I can get. Love your blog!
Thank you, Maria, for taking the time to share some of your blogging savvy. Being new to this format of sharing information, I need all the help I can get…especially when it comes to "Blog etiquette". There is so much to learn and you have provided many resources which will help. For that, I am truly grateful.
Jane (Artfully Graced)
I totally agree. And besides, uggs come in different colors!!
Great post…So important to acknowledge and be acknowledged…that said, I know I have "lost" a few emails and comments. I try hard not to…but sometimes real life gets in the way.
Thanks for reminding us….ever so gently!
You are so sweet and such a conscientious blogger.
It is a struggle, even on my little blog, to keep up. When you start out, you look at each post as your little baby. You think about it, actually type it up, tweak the pictures and finally post it. You gave birth to it in a way and you think that your job is done.
That isn't how it goes and your work has actually just started. You haven't put it to bed, you have sent it out to the world and it interacts with others and therefore, you, have to continue to interact with them.
It is a big struggle to respond to all and yet continue to keep producing new babies/posts. You do the best you can to balance the life beyond your screen and this one. Sometimes you fail, sometimes you win. If you do it sweetly, like you do and I try to do, you win every time:)
I totally agree. It sometimes takes longer than I'd like, but I do reply to every e-mail I receive (except I just realized there's one I forgot to reply to — oops!!) and I visit and leave a comment for every blogger who visits our blog and leaves a comment for us. There are probably a few that have slipped through the cracks, but I really work hard to keep on top of things.
Almost everyone I've e-mailed has e-mailed me back — including Jamie Drake, which totally blew me away!! It's great to know that popular and successful people are as excited to receive your e-mail as you are to receive theirs 🙂
I was thinking about you as I put together my yellow post — I was hoping you wouldn't be offended by the fact that I don't like yellow, 'cause I know it's your favourite colour 🙂 Happy to hear you enjoyed it 🙂
Kelly
I read your post and then all the comments (you have the nicest readers) . . . what a kind and thoughtful post Maria. I love you!
xo (sister) Anita
i'm amazed by how many things you have to think about when authoring a blog. You opened my eyes about being polite by commenting on others blogs. But it totally makes sense.
I get solicitations quite often, as well. The ones that drive me the most nuts are those who repeatedly email me, asking for exposure, without ever checking my blog to notice that I already wrote a post about them! Silly, right?
Maria,
amazing words. Amazing attitude. If I was already a fan of yours, now i'm even more (and I blog for less than a month…)
I like the way you are, very much indeed.
Take care.
Forgot to say something: i'm sure you are the type of professional everyone would love to work with.
And I'm one of them.
Wow, Maria – what a great post and exchange of ideas and thoughts. I think that if we treat people as we would like to be treated in "real life" so to speak, then it all works out. Something like returning phone calls – a polite reciprocity, I think – is all we are talking about. It is just nice to visit someone else's blog and comment if they have been to yours and commented. It is just nice to reply to a personal email, if you can, (and I realize we all get busy and let a few fall through the cracks). It is an interesting world – this blogging place – and although there are occasionally rude or angry people out there, most of the time it is really such a wonderful place to make new friends. I understand that you started out talking about emails and then the topic turned into one of comments, too, but obviously people are sensitive to this issue as well. I will say that there are a few "big" bloggers who I used to comment on, but have NEVER received a comment back, so I quit – kind of like inviting someone over and after asking a few times, you get the message that they are not interested in a relationship, so you move on. Okay, I am ranting – I will stop, but thank you so much for your kindness and generosity in blogging – you are a doll!
oh great post maria! you've always been SO GENEROUS with responding (this past week case in point!!) and commenting.
i have to say I know there are times when emails fall through the cracks and I wake up or can't sleep thinking of them & sometimes can't find them when I try to go back.. argggg If I don't respond right away it's like my email eats them!!
other times I feel like it's all I can do to just keep writing on my blog & don't get to do as much reading/ commenting as i want to, but i feel like if i stop writing, i'm letting my readers down… sometimes there's only so much time… which is why i really love it when people have the email set up to their comments so you can reply back asap… because sometimes people ask questions & there's no way to get into touch with them.. anyway i see i'm rambling but i think i'll have to post on this again that if i havn't reponded to a particular question to please write me back & nag me because sometimes emails slip through the cracks..
great one!!!
xoxo,
lauren
I love you back! 🙂
A little bit of kindness goes a long way and you certainly have a big heart.
The next time you're in Toronto I'll take you to my favourite furniture & accessory store that is owned and run by Interior Designers.
Maria, it is so true, we are all trying to accomplish so much in our really short time here on earth. I feel I have an obligation and commitment to help and respond to everyone who writes to me, sometimes it may take a little longer than I would like! It means the world when I hear that people love my art!!
Great post, and thought provoking, as always! I know that some of the most popular blogs out there are devoted to responding to each and every comment that they receive on their blogs – admirable, given that they receive dozens and dozens of comments.
I have chatted with Joni about this topic. I am constantly amazed at her daily emails – she often gets hundreds a day – I don't know how she manages it! She must spend the majority of her time working on the blog and the associated correspondence with the blog.
I think it makes sense for an understanding on behalf of bloggers and those who read and/or comment that not every single email or every single comment can be handled in a personal manner – but I do think it is nice to try to support your readers with either email comments or comments on their blogs on occasion, just to show reciprocal support. I need to get better about this – I read a lot of blogs, and I comment a fair amount, but not all of the time.
I love the way you think, Maria. You have always been so kind and helpful and gone above and beyond for this reader/non-blogger. I subscribe to many blogs, but only you and Joni at Cote de Texas have been kind enough to respond and sometimes in great detail. That has endeared you both to me even more, knowing that you care about your readers. But I can only imagine how much time it takes to respond to every one of us. It won't hurt my feelings if you don't respond to this comment, or any in the future as I have gained so much just from reading your amazing blog. I only wanted to continue to comment to encourage you to keep up the great work in sharing your colorful and beautiful spirit.
~ Victoria in Texas
Thank you Maria, great advice. I'm a new blogger…and have already "fallen in love" with some very kind ensconced bloggers who've given me kind comments, wee recognition and support. Their content is superb, but their generosity shows that they are true pros.
I'm glad I saw this as I got an email just like this (though from a Sarah) and I was at first unsure whether to reply as I haven't had one like it before. I'm glad that I did reply (even if I never heard anything back) as I totally agree with you about acknowledging other bloggers and being respectful 🙂
Maria, such an excellent reminder. It CAN be hard to respond to everyone who writes to you (I'm talking about design questions). But this is a great reminder that even a note saying, "Thanks so much for writing to me – I'll respond as soon as I can; thanks in advance for your patience" is appropriate. Thanks, as always, for your excellent guidance.
Thanks for the small shout-out! I'm off to check out that Ugg giveaway!
But a very relevant post and one that is a good reminder. I remember doing the same when I was first starting out… trying to get feedback from BIG bloggers was so difficult. It would be disappointing to think we could forget how we once started out. No blog is an overnight success!
Maria, as always it is such a treat to read your posts. You are inspirational, stylish, thoughtful, caring and smart. May we all find some direction, pick up some pointers, and learn some tips from the best, from someone such as you. I am still somewhat new to the blogging world (and seem to have a hard time keeping up). I was completely unaware of the necessity for good etiquette regarding blogging till a friend forwarded me a post on the topic. Until then, honestly I did not realize how important having good manners in the blog world was (head hung low in shame). Leaving posts like these are invaluable for many of us. There really is so much to learn in our life time. May we never run out of time in the day to do all that we hope and aspire to do. Hugs, Laura
being a "little fish" blogger, I LOVE WHEN YOU READ/COMMENT on my blog! It makes my day! You are an amazing person and such a good example!
I have so much to learn about blogging. Thank you for all your ideas and for commenting on my blog ! 🙂
I never expect a response from "big" bloggers, because I can imagine the number of hours it takes to do so. When I do get a response, though, it does brighten up my day!
i'm a newbie blogger looking to start and its blogs like yours that keep telling me to 'go for it'.
you inspire…please don't stop. I hope one day to set up a blog that you would be proud of too.
I completely agree! I'm in a different field but recently I emailed another blogger (who like me also had a book published) with a question. She responded with a form letter about how she is too busy to answer questions and respond to email.
I think it is her loss – I interview other bloggers for publications and I certainly can see other situations where I would be in a situation to promote her work and books. But now I won't.
Fortunately there are plenty of other bloggers (including some who are much more accomplished in our field) who are happy to respond to email who I will help promote instead!
Hi Maria,
Thank you so much for being kind enough to mention me in such a nice way. It is difficult to answer all emails ,while blogging, running my own business & going to school p/t. But i do the best that I can….
I sincerely apologize if there were people that I never got back to….but I wish they would just write me again. I think at this time I answer about 95% of my emails sooner or later. : )
Again, thank you!
Jen Ramos
http://www.madebygirl.com
madebygirl.blogspot.com
You are sooo right!
By the way, I have just discovered your blog and i love it! All the advice you give is wonderful, THANK YOU so much, I will come back to visit you often.
XXX