“Out of Office” Auto-response Email Replies
Do you know the “I’m out of the office until blah, blah” automatic response emails people set up in Outlook, Apple Mail, Spark, Gmail, or other email programs when traveling? While they’re fine for being on vacation, I find many people use them every time they leave the office.
In non-vacation situations, my advice is: Don’t use it.
Don’t use anything if you can’t afford an assistant – or at least a mobile device to track your emails while traveling. The auto-response was designed when very few people could afford laptops, phones, or pads to check email on the road. But today, when it comes to perception, it’s an out-of-date technique that reveals you either:
1) Don’t have a staff or assistant
2) Can’t afford a mobile device to check your emails on the road.
3) Are so anti-technology that you don’t care about your business or personal relationships that much.
4) All of the above.
Either way – very few people use them anymore because it doesn’t make you look very professional – not to mention that people get annoyed when they receive them. A much better approach is to condition your associates, family, friends, or business relationships that email isn’t an “instant” communication method. If they need something ASAP, either text or call. Then, you can stop sending the auto responses. What do you think?
Photo by Stephen Phillips – Hostreviews.co.uk on Unsplash
Phil Cooke, PhD. has been called “one of the most innovative communicators of our generation.” As a media producer, writer, speaker, and consultant, his client list includes major film studios and TV networks as well as major Christian organizations like Voice of the Martyrs, The Museum of the Bible, The Salvation Army, and others. He’s also coached and consulted with many of the most influential churches and nonprofit organizations in the world, helping them use media to tell their story. You can hear his podcast here.
