How to Use E-Mail Vacation Messages
You’re probably familiar with the idea of using an automated e-mail response to inform people that you’re away on vacation.
The autoresponders used by both Alex Mandossian and MaryEllen Tribby (1) explain that all their incoming e-mails will be automatically deleted while they are gone, and (2) tell the sender to re-send the e-mail after a certain date. Others use autoresponders to direct people to alternate contacts. For instance, a CEO on vacation might direct all urgent e-mails to her vice president.
Automated messages like these can be very useful – to you and the people who email you.
But that’s not all you can do. If you have time – and know in advance that you’ll be out – there’s a quick extra step you can take…
For about a month before you go, append a short statement to your outgoing e-mail signature saying that you’ll be going away from [date] to [date]. If practical, add a request for people to contact you in advance of your vacation should they need anything from you.
I always do this before I leave for vacation or for a conference, and it’s been a big help.
[Ed. Note: It’s surprising how some of the simplest actions – like adding a note about your upcoming vacation to outgoing e-mails – can have a big effect on your business. Get more advice from Senior Internet Consultant David Cross and the ETR team on which changes you need to implement to make your Internet business grow. Check out the details now.]David Cross
Although David hails from Blackpool, England – which is often referred to as the “Las Vegas of England” – he shunned a career in show business and instead followed a meandering career path overflowing with “life’s great experiences,” working or living in over 20 countries along the way. Chef, teacher of Transcendental Meditation, guest presenter on QVC, earthquake relief volunteer, CEO of a web hosting company, marketer at a radio station and all combined with years of direct marketing, PR and sales experience for clients as diverse as health food stores, small charities and right up to multinational public companies. David brought unique talent and experience to his role for six years as Senior Internet Consultant to Agora Publishing Group. Working closely with Agora’s publishers and marketers to test new ideas and marketing campaigns, Agora’s Internet revenues topped $200 million in 2007. David understands and can communicate fluently with creative “right-brain” marketers and analytical “left-brain” IT and software teams, all with equal ease. He has a proven track record for generating results and creative thinking and excels at making trouble to find new ways of making things happen! He lives on a small farm close to Mount Hood in Oregon with his wife Cinda, a veterinarian, and their four children and a menagerie of animals (no more, please!). When not marketing or brainstorming you’ll find David following a dream of self-sufficiency for food, power and water within 10 years, tending the land and caring for the farm and animals. Not surprisingly, David is an engaging and knowledgeable speaker with many amusing anecdotes from his work and travels over the years.