When I worked for a major corporation most professionals checked email at night and on weekends, and if a critical email came in they responded. The production part of the business ran 24/7 and if there was a production problem it was important.
Now that I am an independent contractor / consultant with a billing rate not that far off from a provider's hourly fee, I answer emails from clients and potential clients whenever they come in. It doesn't matter if it's morning, afternoon, or night or whether it's a weekday or weekend. If it means keeping my current client happy or possibly snagging a new client, I respond.
Originally Posted by billw1032
Well, this business is a bit different than your business
Most of your clients most likely do not tell you about their health issues, financial issues, loveless marriages etc.. You don't have people calling you that may want to put you in jail or murder you...
There are many people that use this as way to fill not just their physical needs, but also their emotional needs. While I enjoy my work, I have to separate myself from it occasionally or it can become too draining. 90 percent of my "job" is customer service. If I don't take a step back and create healthy boundaries, I begin to get burnt out and that is reflected in the way I treat clients.
I ALWAYS tell friends that are providers, take 2 or 3 days a week when you just turn off your computer. This can't be your whole life or you will burn out. And fast. I see it all the time, providers coming on this board and having breakdowns or exploding on people. The stress is too much to handle 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
I say take at least 2 days off a week and spend perhaps spend 10 minutes returning mails in the morning and then take the day for yourself.
I follow this advice and the result is while I may not make a ton of money, I really do love what I do. I am not tired and burnt out, I still get excited to meet new people and I am a genuinely happy person.
To the OP: Please post the email and I will let you know if there is anything odd about it! You seem very nice and I do believe it is as someone said, they just took the weekend off. I would not be surprised if you get a response from all three today.