The Impact of Negative Attitudes in Online Business Communication

The Consequences of Negative Communication

Recently, I sent an email request to an individual, only to receive a rather abrupt response. Needless to say, I promptly removed their email address from my records, ensuring no future communication. The point here is not to speculate about the reasons behind their negative demeanor, but to highlight the impact of their attitude. It's crucial to remember that when communicating online, your words are the only indicators of your intentions. If you respond curtly or negatively, you risk being written off, which is detrimental when conducting business online.

The Importance of Timely Responses

Equally damaging is the act of ignoring requests or failing to respond promptly. In the digital age, people appreciate and expect swift communication. If you fail to respond in a timely manner, you risk giving the impression of being unresponsive, which can be detrimental to online entrepreneurs.

Strategies for Effective Communication

So, what constitutes a timely response? While it's hard to define, there are several strategies that can help.

• Use of Auto-Responders: Auto-responders can provide an immediate response, but savvy users can often tell when a response is automated. While it confirms receipt of their email, it's still crucial to provide a timely, personal response.

• Email Filters: A more effective strategy is to use an email filter that sends an immediate response and files the email for later follow-up. This not only buys you some time but also appears more personal. It's important to check this folder daily and respond to the requests.

• Scheduled Email Time: Dedicate a specific time each day to answer your emails, ideally from a distraction-free environment. If you're upset or annoyed, wait until you're in a better frame of mind before responding.

Handling Negative Emails

If you receive an email that upsets you, feel free to vent your frustrations, but refrain from sending the email immediately. Often, the act of venting can help soothe your emotions, and upon revisiting the email, you may choose to delete it or rephrase it in a more civil tone.

The Importance of Positive Attitude

Never resort to using offensive language in an email. Not only can it escalate the situation, but if reported to your Internet Service Provider (ISP), it could result in the cancellation of your account. This is especially true for free email accounts that have a zero-tolerance policy for such behavior.

Avoid responding to emails when you're pressed for time, as your impatience can come across and potentially offend the recipient. Always maintain a positive attitude. If you receive a negative email, thank the sender for their input and assure them that you'll look into the matter.

In our verbal society, expressing ourselves clearly and simply is more important than ever. Don't let a transient bad attitude ruin your otherwise good sales practices.