You tell people you will answer soon because you want to be helpful. The reply sometimes comes that afternoon and sometimes three days later. They cannot tell when to follow up, and you feel pressure whenever another message arrives.
Look at how long this kind of response actually takes alongside your other work. Offer a window that matches that experience, subject to any agreed service requirements. If the question needs research, include that time rather than counting only the minutes spent writing.
Update the promise when it changes
If you will miss the window, send a brief update with a new date or explain which information is still missing. The person may need another route if their decision cannot wait.
Keep the response commitment beside the task, particularly when it arrives through a busy inbox. After several attempts, review whether the window remains realistic. You can make an occasional faster reply without setting a permanent expectation that every future question will receive the same speed.
