Check the recipient's preferred mode of communication. Some people respond more quickly to an electronic communication than to a voice mail message. Others have an e-mail box but do not check it often. Be certain that the vehicle you choose to convey your message suits the audience you are addressing. To keep your customers satisfied, you should promptly respond to all e-mail messages.
People corresponding by e-mail typically expect responses within three business days.
If you are unable to respond in a timely manner, do not publicize e-mail as a way to contact you or your company. Don't send a message containing anything you want to keep confidential. E-mail is not always private. You have no idea how your message gets to your recipient or who could be reading it along the way. Furthermore, computer systems use backups that allow retrieval of e-mail messages both sent and received several months or years later, even though they may have been deleted from the employee's computer files.