If you want to be a professional, please write back.

If you want to be a professional, please write back. Today Im  writing about a  personal pet peeve of mine:   those who do not respond to emails.   Im sure this happens at all age and career levels, but lately Ive noticed a trend among my twentysomething-aged peers: apparently they dont feel the need to respond to emails in a timely manner,  or in some cases-  EVER! So please explain to me WHAT could possibly be going on that is  SO important that you cannot write back to an email with a yes, no, ok, not interested, dont have time, lets follow up next week etc. within a business day or two?   Especially if it is someone  who is getting  PAID for services that I am emailing them about!   Are you still  living in the last century with your old mobile phone that doesnt have email?   Do you not check your email for days at a time?   Do you just not care at all?   For those who know me personally, you know that I am a natural connector:   I love helping other people get jobs, get clients, get referrals, and doing anything else to help people grow professionally.   Therefore I frequently  stick my neck out for  those who ask me for help. For example, Ive been trying to help someone get a new job by referring her to several people in my network who I know can place her soon.   She seemed so desparate for a new job, so I got on her request quickly.   But since she DOES NOT RESPOND to my emails,  I have witheld  some great leads because to me it looks like she doesnt want/need a new job all that bad if she cant write back.   If she suddenly emails me back 2 weeks later, I will have to let her know I can no longer help her out. Another girl has her own business.    She had asked that I keep  her  in mind so she could get  new clients and ideas to help her grow her small practice.   Apparently shes all set too, because I NEVER hear back from her after I email her with great leads or opportunities.   Unfortunately this has even been the case with vendors I  PAY (a lot of money)  for their services to help  my business.   I have had to terminate relationships with them due to their lack of response.     Last time I checked, we were in a recession but I guess they dont need my business that badly. So the bottom line is, if youre going to ask someone for help or you are getting paid- please write back.   It makes you look VERY unprofessional and uncaring when you just ignore emails.   Maybe you need to get organized, set reminders, or write it down in your calendar to respond but figure something out that works for you  before people stop contacting you all together.     This advice is especially important if you have your own business. If you dont have time to even respond to an email, then it makes it look like you obviously dont have enough time for  your clients either.