Return Receipt Requested

Many galleries are giving artists the option to pay online and send the entry information and images in an email instead of mailing a CD. After you click "Send", though, how do you know if the gallery received the email?

The easiest way is to include in your email a request for an acknowledgement by return email. It takes only a second for the recipient to click "Reply" to let you know your email arrived, and most galleries will respond. If not, then you know to follow up to be sure your email didn't get trapped by a spam filter along the way.

There is also a technology solution available ... you can request a "read receipt" as part of your email. When the recipient opens the email message on their computer, an email will automatically be sent back to you stating that the recepient has read the message. But not all email programs handle read receipts, however, and the recipient may not have the feature turned on. So while this approach is not foolproof, it may give you an added way to ensure your email was recevied.

If you use Outlook Express, simply click Request Read Receipt on the Tools menu in the new message window. If you use Mac Mail, read this article for detailed instructions.