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Why I email complete strangers

goodinternetmagazine.com

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Re: Why I email complete strangers

#61

Post by sixtyj »

thombles wrote: post #2

A low-risk way to dip your toes in is to email a blogger to say that you enjoyed their post or that you found it helpful. The message doesn’t have to have useful information in it, just be sincere. Per OP, often there won’t be a reply but also often it’s much appreciated - particularly by non-mainstream writers.

Whenever a stranger sends me a well-written - even if brief - email, it makes my day.

So every now and then, I spread some joy by sending an email to a complete stranger.

And I always add that I don’t expect a reply, so they don’t feel obligated to respond.

Re: Why I email complete strangers

#63

Post by Gigachad »

Ritewut wrote: post #53
vaibhavkul wrote: post #48

Forget emailing strangers, I have a hard time talking to my neighbours.

This is funny but true. I don't think I've spoken to my neighbors in any place I've lived in 10 years other than maybe awkwardly running into each other in the hallway.

In apartments this has always been the case for me. I moved in to a townhouse recently and the neighbours on one side spend half the day gardening out the front so I do end up talking to them.

I think it would be nice if apartment buildings prioritised making some communal space that’s comfortable to hang out in so you’d have a chance to chat with people who live in the building. Usually it’s just some token couch in the lobby.

Re: Why I email complete strangers

#64

Post by tacocataco »

mmcclure wrote: post #10
karakoram wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

dang just does NOT reply though. I don't know what his beef is?

I'm not sure if this is sarcasm, but I've been blown away by the thoughtful responses I've gotten from dang. They don't always come quickly, but I would expect that given how crazy I assume that inbox is.

> They don't always come quickly, but I would expect that given how crazy I assume that inbox is.

A wizard is never late or early, but arrives precisely when he means to.

Re: Why I email complete strangers

#65

Post by tsylba »

foxfired wrote: post #41

Whenever I write something that gets some traction, I get emails. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. One of them is from a guy that tells me "I love your blog, but you got terrible spelling." If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't bother doing a spellcheck before publishing.

I'm always saying it's better to finish on a good note rather than a bad one, " but " (eg. "You're stupid but I love you" vs "I love you but you're stupid"), but that's the kind of case where it's clearly better to do the reverse. Huh.

Re: Why I email complete strangers

#67

Post by RobinL »

asdfqwertzxcv wrote: post #27
thombles wrote: post #2

A low-risk way to dip your toes in is to email a blogger to say that you enjoyed their post or that you found it helpful. The message doesn’t have to have useful information in it, just be sincere. Per OP, often there won’t be a reply but also often it’s much appreciated - particularly by non-mainstream writers.

I’ve been on the creator side with 1M+ followers and the amount of times someone has dropped a kind note like that can be counted on one hand. It’s such a breath of fresh air compared to the hate, criticizing and general unpleasantness that is so pervasive when dealing with online communities - even my own. As a result, I make it a point to send notes to anyone if I’ve enjoyed their work, because I know how much its…

I get them occasionally - maybe every couple of months or so - and I have nothing like that sort of following.

But I do have a 'say thanks' page on my blog rather than the more usual 'buy me a coffee'. Perhaps people feel less awkward doing it when it's invited! Anyway, I recommend it because the emails are always nice to receive.

https://www.robinlinacre.com/thanks/

Re: Why I email complete strangers

#68

Post by GJim »

Shellban wrote: post #25
ayaros wrote: post #12

You can email anyone if there's something you need to communicate to them. Since when was it ever a big deal to email someone you don't know?

The big one is the fact that you will likely be ignored by a large host of them. Even with modern spam filters, a lot of unsolicited messages are simply a waste of packets. Odds are, even your useful, inquisitive message will be buried under the more disingenuous messages, especially in an age of LLMs. Trying to get in contact with anyone that already has a large audience can be discouraging.

> The big one is the fact that you will likely be ignored by a large host of them.

So you have a fear of rejection?

Mate, you need to pull yourself together.

Re: Why I email complete strangers

#69

Post by GJim »

nxy wrote: post #36

I email strangers all the time relating to my businesses. But for "personal" time? Gives me the shivers.

Why?

I'm reading lots of reply's on here from people afraid of talking to strangers. Is there something wrong with you all?

FWIW: Strangers have the best sweets.

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