Comments on: New Zen Habits Contact Policies – Please Read!

By: Victor

Victor — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 20:59:09 +0000

If you use Gmail you can just create a contact us page. Although contact us pages are very impersonal, they’d give you chances to create filters and label your emails just as they arrive, using the same keywords you’ll have on your contact us page.

By: Jim Smith

Jim Smith — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 17:48:17 +0000

I think you’re on the right path…even if only 1/2 or 1/3 of the readers follow the recommendation, you’ve reduced the amount of work needed to process the feedback that you get, given that more of your readers will put their messages into a category for you. So often, the customers that demand the most attention and time contribute the least amount of profit. If you can separate the prospects from the suspects, so much the better.

By: Steve Bell

Steve Bell — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 05:28:50 +0000

No problem Leo… I was mostly amused. I know you have 6 kids (i have 2 and that’s hard enough) and a popular blog would be overwhelming. My (definitely minor) frustration with your blog is lack of timely setup of the monthly challenge at the start of the month (my PM’s and posts were never answered, either); and lack of a “community” spirit to the forums. One person can’t do it all! Perhaps the overwhelm email thing is telling let your fan base do some of that. Just a thought for you. I’m not interested in volunteering – but others have done so. Best wishes, and keep up the great articles!
-steve

By: Tina Su - Think Simple. Be Decisive.

Tina Su - Think Simple. Be Decisive. — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 23:59:55 +0000

Fantastic idea to put a policy like this in place. :)

I really do appreciate the grace you have offered us by answering every email. It’s very kind of you.
Your time is valuable. I much rather see you spend more personal time or time on articles than having to answer emails.

Cheers,
Tina

By: Andrew Brunelle

Andrew Brunelle — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 23:03:59 +0000

I understand. You could maybe eventually use your forum for each individual blog post so that way people could ask questions there and not only receive answers, but be part of a large network.

By: Leo

Leo — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 20:23:09 +0000

Thanks for your feedback and for your understanding, guys. It was a difficult decision to create these policies, as I value the interaction I’ve had with readers, but in the end I realized that I need to have time for my family, and that I can’t keep up with all the email.

@Steve Bell: I hear where you’re coming from, but in my defense, I don’t ignore emails from readers. I actually try to answer them in a timely manner, but the problem is that I cannot do so anymore and still have time for my family.

This compromise is a way for me to still be able to interact with you guys … I don’t want to ignore the emails or leave them sitting in my inbox for weeks … and I don’t want to ignore my family. I hope it’ll be a better method for all of us.

By: Jill

Jill — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 19:15:29 +0000

I agree that many of the mechanisms you’ve set up are much better vehicles than email for handling different kinds of reader input and managing conversations on an ongoing basis. Looks like a good basic model that many bloggers could adopt.

By: Christopher

Christopher — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 18:43:17 +0000

Is a successful blog just about volume and popularity? Could success be about the level of discourse or the interest of just a few people who are willing to write together and engage in an in-depth conversation where participants get to interrogate their own assumptions?

I think small can be beautiful.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 17:30:30 +0000

I appreciate this policy as someone who has emailed you and received prompt replies. Many bloggers simply ignore emails and thus are able to empty their inbox much quicker. I understand the hurt feelings from your loyal readers, but I also understand that you’re trying to streamline communication, not eliminate it.

Kudos to you for retaining your personal life and keeping it offline.

By: Steve Bell

Steve Bell — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 17:25:13 +0000

Freud would have a heyday with this! Build a popular blog, then not only ignore emails, PM’s, and neglect critical maintenance, but very vocally protest about interacting with the fans that want to interact with you or do business. Hmm. I need a replacement blogging hero! Honestly.