A better way is to have a special "filter" with your email package that first sends a response to them, and then files it into a folder for later follow-up. That not only buys you a little time, but sends response from your email address so it appears more personal. You should examine that folder everyday, and be sure to get back to them with information they requested.

Try to pick a specific time each day to answer your email. This should be done from a place where there aren't distractions. If you are upset about something, or something is annoying you, don't answer your email until you are in a better frame of mind.

If you receive an email that really gets under your skin, and you feel need to vent - go ahead and do it - but don't send it yet. Some times mere process of "venting" will "sooth your savage beast". Wait a few hours, and read your response again. Most of time, you will either wind up deleting it, or putting it in a more civilized tone.

Never use bad language in an email. Not only will you exacerbate situation, but if a copy is forwarded to your ISP as a complaint, they may very likely cancel your account. The free email accounts especially have a "zero tolerance" for this, and so should you.

Never answer your email when you are pressed for time. Your impatience will be obvious and many will take offense.

Above all, exhibit a positive attitude. If you receive a negative email, thank them for their input, and let them know you will look into problem and get back to them. This at least lets them know you care, and are responsive to their concerns.

We live in a verbal society, and need to express ourselves in a clear, simple way is more important than ever. Don't let a "bad attitude", which is normally a transient thing, ruin your otherwise good sales practices.

Maybe adage "it takes money to make money" is even truer than ever. The web promises almost free everything, from email accounts to web space. So, you might think, you have a great idea and since you can get all this free stuff, you can launch your business at almost zero cost.

The guy who jumps out an alley offering Rolex watches at twenty bucks a pop doesn't have much overhead. But he doesn't engender much trust either, and only gullible and greedy, hoping to make a quick buck, will bite. Do you think people don't recognize that you are riding on that same free wagon, and will give you same trust as that Rolex Guy?

OK - so we all agree that you have to show some signs of being serious. Do you think that AOL or some other ISP is answer? You can start up a business and get a few suckers to bite within their 30 day trial period. Hey, they're currently offering 700 free hours first month, and if you stay on computer 23 hours and 20 minutes a day, maybe you can use it. Who needs more than 40 minutes of sleep a day anyway?

There is absolutely no substitute for your own domain. A "no frills" domain today costs about as much per month as a "fast food lunch". If you can't afford that, you can't afford to be in business. This gives you a professional sounding name for your web site, plus an email address that doesn't scream "here today - gone tomorrow".

But kids just love AOL, and I don't need two ISP's, might well be argument. True, and if this is case, just automatically forward email which is sent to your domain there. But set up a separate screen name used only for that purpose, and give it a name that bears some resemblance to your domain name.

Is there "Doom and Gloom" in some quarters? Sure is, and those who view current times in that perspective are missing a great opportunity. Those who can look beyond "dire predictions" we hear on news everyday, will be winners in long run.