5 Quick Personal Away Message Basics
Some think away messages, also known as auto-responders, are only for business—but that’s not true. You can turn off notifications for personal contacts so folks don’t assume you are ignoring their emails.
And based on my inquiries, folks believe they are being ignored. Whether that is true or not, I don’t know, as there are many and varied reasons you may not get a response, or one as quickly as you’d like.
However, when it comes to personal away messages, you should keep the following tips in mind first.
Personal Away Message Tips
1. Is a mass email a better solution?
If you have a ton of friends, consider sending out a quick FYI to everyone you care about. This way, they get a personal notice, and you can save the generic FYI for everyone else.
A quick email blast to the specific contacts you are in touch with and concerned about is an alternative. Of course, put all your contacts in the BCc field.
2. Refrain from including personal info and details.
You don’t want to announce that you are on vacation, as it implies you are leaving your home empty. Instead, state you’ll be away from the computer without providing details. You never know who may email you to get that detailed message.
If your email has longevity, know that your email address is on lists. Lists that get sold, bought, and shared with folks you don’t know. If those folks email you, you don’t want to provide any details that can be used nefariously.
3. Short, sweet, and to the point.
Create a brief message that includes your return date and the timeframe in which folks can expect to hear back from you. This helps to prevent your contacts from assuming you are intentionally ignoring them.
4. Set a reminder to turn your away message off.
When you set your away message, write yourself a note—a Post-it or a red entry in your calendar app— to turn off the autoresponder when you return. Make this one of the first things that you do upon your return.
5. Respond as promptly as possible.
If you did go away, you’ll be busy when you return. But that is no reason to neglect those waiting to hear from you. You don’t want folks wondering if their messages got lost in the shuffle or feeling unimportant to you.
Now you can follow these tips to make sure your away messages do what they are intended to do. (Here are some tips specifically related to Business Email Away Messages.)
