Do you screen—I mean, really screen your incoming emails? Do you do the polite thing and respond to those that are legitimate? Or do you assume too much when reviewing your email list daily, weekly or hourly?
Do you assume that those emails from people whose names you’re not familiar with are spam? Not necessarily. It could be that an editor saw your article published in a popular ezine and is writing to ask if they can reprint it. I once got paid over $1,000 for a reprint in just this way. (It wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t opened the email, though.)
Perhaps someone read your book and wants to hire you as a speaker for an upcoming conference with all expenses paid. This has happened to me, as well. If I hadn’t checked out the curious email address, I would have missed out on a dream trip to Dubai.
Maybe someone is trying to reach you to order cases of your book for an event related to the theme of it. Or they want to ask you to judge a contest in your genre, accept an award, attend a gala event, or??? Use your imagination.
If you consider every email with an unfamiliar address spam, your life experiences and opportunities will be greatly limited. And this is true also if you neglect to have your own website.
I’ve harped on this before. Every author and every freelance writer should have an Internet presence of his/her own—in their name, such as I do with http://www.patriciafry.com
For years, I had just one website. It evolved as my business did and was doing triple duty as a book showcase, resource center and introduction to Patricia Fry. It did the job, actually. Anyone typing in “Patricia Fry” found my Matilija Press website, which meant they found me. My email address is prominent at both of my sites, so anyone who knew my name could locate me without any trouble and still can.
Learn more about how to become more visible and how to promote yourself by reading my book, Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author. It’s available at my website, the publisher’s website, Amazon.com as well as most other online and downtown booksellers.