Comments for The Andrew Sullivan of Email

The Andrew Sullivan of Email

2004-04-12T17:10:20Z

Everyone I know complains that they can't keep up with their email and that responding to it takes too much time. And of course, this is the same justification a lot of people use for either not starting a weblog or for abandoning one.

However, lots of bloggers have found it's worth their while to update their sites if they put out a tip jar or PayPal link and get donations from their readers to subsidize the time they spend writing.

So why not have a message at the bottom of your outgoing email messages telling the recipient how much you're willing to bid for a timely response to the message? ("If you get me an answer on this in 8 hours, I'll PayPal you a dollar. 24 hours is worth 50 cents, and I'll give you a quarter for a reply any time in the next three days.")

It's micropayment mania!

Comment from Seth Werkheiser on 2004-04-12

2004-04-12T17:43:48Z

That sounds good, 'cept you'd need to make it so you can add it to some emails and not to others, kinda like with Apple's Mail, where you can switch Signatures real quick if you need. Then again, it's not often I need answers quick by email. Now only if I could CHARGE people $1 for emailing me. hehe..

Comment from monkeyinabox on 2004-04-12

2004-04-12T18:43:33Z

Sounds like a neat idea, but if everyone started doing this it would be like email is held for ransom. Pay up or never get a reply.

Comment from Jimbo on 2004-04-12

2004-04-12T18:53:02Z

I have an opinion on this article, but I demand $500 before I'll divulge it.

Comment from jim on 2004-04-12

2004-04-12T19:31:08Z

Would it be the same price for everyone, or would one demand less from the poor for the same response?

Comment from jim on 2004-04-12

2004-04-12T19:31:55Z

Would it be the same price for everyone, or would one demand less from the poor for the same response?

Comment from Justin Blanton on 2004-04-12

2004-04-12T19:33:54Z

I'd be RICH. It's genius. Forget law school.

Comment from PLC on 2004-04-12

2004-04-12T19:34:08Z

Why wouldn't you just set auto-reply to read "Send me my money, bitch".

Comment from Ravages on 2004-04-13

2004-04-13T07:25:31Z

You know what? SPam mailers should be charged a dollar per mail they send me. I would gladly buy what they ask me (unless it is the size expansion thingy).

Comment from Maxtor on 2004-04-13

2004-04-13T12:17:49Z

Great Idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love It!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And soon someone will find out a way to outsource replying emails to India and China and cut them .25 of that buck.

Comment from Maciej Ceglowski on 2004-04-13

2004-04-13T19:38:12Z

Dear Friend,

Did you know you can make THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS from email in the comfort of your own home? That's right! You could be earning money with EVERY EMAIL YOU RECEIVE. To find out all about this EXCITING OPPORTUNITY, simply send an email to info@dashes.com. Don't forget to attach a check or money order for $29.95 to ensure a prompt response!

Comment from Rajan on 2004-04-13

2004-04-13T21:27:05Z

i'm sold. the pay to email concept is awesome if the .mail network can be set up to accept only .mail messages. micropayments cost nothing, but in bulk it would be senseless.

Comment from Jimbo on 2004-04-13

2004-04-14T02:03:33Z

Jim: there's a significant discount for those with a household income less than $25,000/yr. Also, non-profit organizations can apply for a discount. Send all inquiries to discounts@jimbo.com (administrative fees might be charged for us to read your email)

Comment from Anonymous on 2004-04-15

2004-04-16T01:06:54Z

Make it an X-header in the email so my email client can read it and I can sort/prioritize by the "bounty" offered by the sender.

Comment from Anonymous on 2004-04-17

2004-04-17T07:46:51Z

you are sick what a sham