Hey, Crazy People, Stop Sending Me Email
Filed Under: Thriving
Is there a Blogging Crisis Hotline? No? Well, maybe this is an idea some entrepreneur should jump on.
I’ve recently received a few emails from people who were not commenting on any particular blog post, not offering a compliment or criticism, but simply babbling incoherently and asking my advice on things I have absolutely no experience with. See, I just don’t get this. Why would anyone email a total stranger and ask them for career counseling? Or recount their recent decision to move to Zimbabwe? Or ask them if it’s kosher to eat meat for breakfast (OK, I made that one up). The email contained no virus or even a link to a Viagra site.
So I sit in front of the computer, staring at the email. Then I go check out some blogs and come back to my email, hoping the odd message would have somehow vanished so I wouldn’t have to deal with it. Nope, still there. I stare at it some more. I make my husband read it. If I ignore the email, is this crazy person gonna go postal or start stalking me? And if I respond, am I opening a dialogue that might encourage them to contact me again? Either option is creepy.
Help me out here bloggers, how do you handle people who send you crazy emails?
PHAT = Parenting, Homeschooling And Technology. That about sums up my life at the moment.
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COD | May 21, 2006 | Reply
Public ridule is my solution.
http://www.odonnellweb.com/mtarchives/cat_fan_mail.php
Karmyn R | May 21, 2006 | Reply
Okay - I have had this happen. I wrote something slightly political about Iran and had someone e-mail me this huge article about the all the politics b/n Iran and US. My only question is: How do they get our e-mail anyway? I do not have mine posted. It is suppose to be private. Hope you don’t have a stalker - YIKES!!!!! Good luck…
Doc | May 21, 2006 | Reply
Oh, I get those.
Except, these people actually read my blog, and then ask me for advice.
It’s not always G-rated.
Blech.
Kellie | May 22, 2006 | Reply
Great blog!! Can you block numbers on your phone? We have that and we’ve blocked out several idiots.
Tabz | May 22, 2006 | Reply
I try to be as nice as possible and tell them that I can’t help them with their problem and point them in the right direction.. (career counseling? they need to talk to their family and other spiritual advisors). But those sound more like spam than actual people.
Lisa | May 22, 2006 | Reply
Um.. I wrote you…
And I promise.. no more stalking. lol.
Seriously, you did give me some great info about how to handle my daughters homeschool dilemma (aka..hurricanes, homelessness, and how to get the records straight for missed time). So from those of us who are G-rated and lost.. just know that your replies sometimes end a stressful and aggravating problem..and are highly appreciated!! I never did get the chance to say thank you! By the way.. I was wondering if you had any advice for me concerning my career……..
j/k
Shannon | May 22, 2006 | Reply
Lisa - I didn’t mean that *everyone* who emails me is a freak.
I mean, you asked me about homeschooling, so that’s cool. But I’ve gotten a couple of other really odd emails. I like COD’s solution of public ridicule.
Lisa | May 23, 2006 | Reply
Thanks for clarifying lol. Your tale of freaks and email hit close to home. I had a political blog that resulted in a Kenneth Starr fan “stalking” me (in a virtual sense) for a period of time. I somehow offended the interesting and somewhat odd individual while referring to “Ken’s” current job as Dean of Pepperdine University’s School of Law. He somehow took a conversation about res judicata between myself and another law student as a personal attack on Mr. Starr. Hmm..okay.
There is not much you can do to free yourself from the colorful e-mails…you just kind of have to wait and hope that another person of “interest” arrives in their lives to take your place. In my case, it turned out to be my friend who captivated the freak. My friend (a GUY)worked as an intern in the Whitehouse during the Clinton administration. I bet those two had some great emails lol; I personally ran for the hills. At least my box was empty again!
Don’t sweat it too much.. after all..the perpetrators may notice your phat blog links..or your new tenant for that matter and wander off in search of other email prey.
sandy | May 23, 2006 | Reply
I keep my email address off my blog. Comments go to my “real” address but since it’s through blogger via the page, no one actually has my address unless I reply. When I leave comments I use my “newsletter/contest/spam” email address. Makes it easier to ignore the emails I don’t want to get.
Although, one would think you’re mystery advice seeker is reading your blog and might get the hint via this post. As to how to reply directly or not - well I tend to be a wee bit sarcastic. I might try replying with something like “I’d be glad to offer advice. I make $50/hr as a consultant. Where should I send my invoice too?”
Lisa | May 23, 2006 | Reply
Sandy
I tend to lean towards sarcasm myself lol.
I looked at my blog settings and came back to post a few helpful hints.. but you pretty much covered them. I think creating an alternate email address is the best thing. Aside from that, a “nice” disclaimer at the end of each post would be the only way to filter out the “freaks.” Unless of course you eliminate all comments.. but then that defeats the whole purpose of a blog.
It looks like Shannon hit a nerve with this topic. First we had to deal with telemarketers at dinner time; now we have blog stalkers(Sounds like a Willy Wonka candy). How do you get away from the intrusions?? I wish I knew.
How is Zimbabwe this time of year??
Jess | May 23, 2006 | Reply
Can you imagine if you were really famous and had these kinds of freaks constantly hassling you? That would totally suck, well except for the enormous amounts of cash and free designer merchandise, of course. Just think: you’d constantly have people digging through your trash, taking pictures of your kids, taking pictures of you with no makeup, and stalkers everywhere! No amount of money would be worth that!
Lisa | May 23, 2006 | Reply
Jess
I couldnt imagine (with 4 kids) anyone digging through my trash! lol
Recently, as the Britney Spears baby scandal unfolded, I realized how horrifying it must be to live in the public spotlight. I never paid much attention to Britney (and still wont) before but as images of her surround me on my trips to the grocery store etc.I find it hard to ignore. This is a person who obviously works hard to make a living, have a family, and enjoy life…like most of use try to do. I dont understand WHY any of the attention should overstep the boundary of her professional life. I could care less what celebrities do..who they marry, or when they look their worst….let alone what is in their trash.
I feel sorry for Britney and any other celebrity who is placed in that position. The paparazzi apparently chased her down and snapped a pic of her almost dropping her baby then followed her getting pics of the aftermath. To stand there and take a picture of a woman in distress, with a painful and desperate look on her face for money is sick.
Then you have your “Bennifers”, “Branjelinas”, and other couples who are constantly targeted…I dont care if Brad left Jen for Angelina..who did this and that. My divorce was bad enough..I sure dont want to hear about anyone elses lol.
Hopefully, as we all discuss how creepy this is..Shannons stalkers will get a clue… and she will be free of any further Blogstalking events! That way she can get back to the business of entertaining us with her quick wit.
I know Im ready to move on to more interesting subjects.
SO…GO AWAY BLOGSTALKERS!
BTW..Shannon.. Im enjoying your political views!! Very interesting!
Kim c | May 24, 2006 | Reply
Wow. I guess you are possibly being railroaded into the job of advice columnist by organized lurkers? Maybe? I am not sure how to handle it. The weirdest ones I get are from people who want ot offer me opportunities to write professionally for their real estate blog, or ask for a blog review of their start up online homeschooling puzzle website. Some such stuff. I guess it depends on my mood as to whether I respond. But consider it a compliment, whatever they are asking about!
Kailani | May 31, 2006 | Reply
DELETE! Ooops! Did I just accidentally delete your email? My bad!
clinttun | Jul 17, 2006 | Reply
Great job guys… Thank for you work…
webbeleah | Jul 21, 2006 | Reply
Great job guys…
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