Better late than never.. I'd rather have a late response than none at all. Shows you did appreciate what was sent. So often many do not even acknowledge a funny joke sent with the recipient in mind. My 2 cents..

I have been finding myself absolutely swamped with fun stuff in preparation for the holidays- including fun Sarah stuff. But this means that I am not on my computer as much. So sometimes I lag in responding to emails people send. I always get back to people with whom I have an impending meeting or those interested in setting something up, but when it is just general communication, I have been making those a lower priority among the many things on my to-do list. I do get to them, but it can take a few days.

Takes 4 seconds to respond, even if it's just a "fk you, I am busy" lol.

I do use my iPhone to keep up on emails and such when I'm out and about. But at times I will get an email that needs a fast response and I don't see it in time ... I will still send a response and let them know I wasn't available etc.  

I sometimes fall behind in follow-up calls to customers to check on their satisfaction with their orders. It's not an important email, but more of a courtesy. I apologize if I'm late in following up. Nobody's said anything. I think they understand.

If we are meeting soon, or in the process of setting up, more frequent communications are obviously desirable, and are the norm...  

place a time of the day in your daily schedule to answer your emails. The time of the day will depend on your schedule. It can be early morning or late at night.  

my 2 favorites are the worst on reply time. So I guess I'm whipped. But damn they are hot. Pick your poison LOL>

with ladies who reply quickly.
That responsiveness creates a first impression of professionalism, and when combined with just the right touch of flirtation, well, it makes me think I've made the right choice.

Be Extraordinary!!!!!! Return messages asap! Make your peeps happy happy!

What if the joke's not funny? just write "lol"?

I'm not sitting in front of my computer after I send an email. I've got plenty to keep me busy. After 24 hrs it's disconcerting.  As was mentioned get a smart phone and it will make it easier to reply to important emails

I seldom just hop on my laptop for emails I answer them in real time from my phone.

-- Modified on 11/19/2013 8:43:23 AM

Sorry, there is simply no excuse. No one is THAT busy, or they would not have time to actually DO the appt. lol. The ONLY time I do not bother with this business is when I have my child or with family, so that and being sick I can understand. Still, it takes 5 min. to create an auto response telling people what's going on, that you can't reply, are not taking appts. etc. Business is business, regardless of what industry we are in. The "I am low volume so I don't have to work" claim, does not wash, because the busy girls should be the ones who CAN'T respond ha ha. I know you ladies have lives unlike me, but cmon. 5 seconds is all it takes to click a reply button and say, "I can't discuss this right now."

I kind of agree. Not being prompt is expected from those who are always working, but not from someone who only sees a guy a week/month. I have a full time job at night now, and play on the net for 6-8 hours a day when I can't sleep. Responding is just too easy. I will admit to ignoring password requests, but that is because 90 percent of the time, the guys are never going to book. I don't have time for that shit, but I will always respond to SERIOUS inquiries. No harm in getting an assistant if you can't handle your own emails either. I have screened and booked for many ladies who simply did not want the hassle, and my ass was cheap lol.

Maybe it's the caliber of ladies that I visit, but they've all told me that they get drowned in emails, so unless I'm trying to book on short notice, I don't take it personally if it takes a few days to get a reply. For me at work, it's not unusual to have to sift through 100+ emails in a day, so yeah, sometimes a message gets missed, and no, I probably won't reply if it's not work-related and actionable.  

Just to be clear.

I've actually replied to a dumb joke and said "That was dumb! "LOL!!!!

and if the sender is going over board with emails
I'd tell them to lighten up...

If the sender was nutty or out of control, I'd just block them..

Yeah- got one of those. Still too swamped to get to everything immediately. Mind you, I always respond to emails regarding engagements. It's the chit-chat that I put on lower priority.  

number one followed by business stuff (Sarah time) and then other stuff.

within the next few days or week should take "response priority" over dates more than a week away. If the date is at least a week away, then 48-72 hours would work unless the guy is eagerly awaiting a green light ("yes, I can meet with you") because if the provider can't meet the hobbyist, then the guy needs time to work on plan B.

Any emails regarding setting up an engagement I get to ASAP. It's just the chit chat ones I de-prioritize. One in particular I was thinking about that inspired this post was one inquiring if I make it to a particular city. I responded right away that I haven't been yet, but that I would be happy to let him know if I do. He wrote back and asked me to be sure to let him know. Perhaps that doesn't even need a response... But it was written in such a way that if I'd had more time, I would have responded that indeed I would.