Your email is often the first POC (point of contact) between you and future clients.  That contact form pops into your inbox, and you go to reply – but are you sure you’re sending out the right message for your brand?  Here’s a hint cat_lover0487@aol.com is not a good start.

Utilizing a solid email address and a concise, professional auto signature will speak volumes for your professionalism.  Creating an auto signature is only about a 5-minute task, but it’s effect on the tone of each one of your emails is immeasurable.  I receive so many emails on a daily basis that either: a) don’t utilize them properly, or b) don’t have one at all.   A good auto signature (a.s.) builds credibility and increases trust.

Here’s are a couple brief checklists to help you quickly and effectively improve your email address:

The Email Looks Good:

• Email Signatures should include Name, Company Name, Website, Contact Number and Company Address if appropriate.
• Email Signature may also include social media links and business hours, but be selective with what you share.
• Using the email account associated with your website address lends professionalism!  (Leah@mywebsite.com, for example)
• Gmail accounts are the complete norm for savvy business owners, as it allows their virtual assistants easy access.
• Make sure email name is professional. Leah.Remillet@gmail.com rather than dog_lover19854@gmail.com.  (Yes, clients notice!)
• Keep it short, sweet, precise and professional.
• Include a small logo or – better yet – a small headshot so that the recipient can put a face with the text.
• Keep your text simple and clean, and avoid multiple color and font changes. (You don’t know how it will appear in their inbox.)
• Respond to emails quickly, but only during business hours.  A quick email response time screams, ‘I care!’
• Your email should qualify as: simple, memorable, concise.

The Email is… Not Awesome:

• Do not include multiple phone numbers and email address – choose your POC info and stick with it.
• And while we’re at it, why are you including your email address?  You are emailing them!
• Think carefully about that quote you’ve included. Is it really representing your brand?
• Don’t include a legal disclaimer unless you actually need to.  (It’s a bit pretentious.)
• If you’re using AOL or Hotmail – STOP!  Clients notice, and it doesn’t scream ‘legit.’
• Don’t include personal Facebook, Twitter or other Social Details.
• Your entire signature should not consist solely of an image; it’s completely impractical and outright irritating when the recipient can’t actually click on the link.
•  Your a.s. (auto signature) really shouldn’t have a higher word count than your email.  Skip the biographical novel.
• Don’t respond to clients at 9pm on Friday night.  You’re sending 2 very bad signals: 1) I’m desperate; 2) I’ll be at your beck and call 24/7.
• Don’t be afraid to show some you-flare. Yes, emails should be precise, but it’s still a great opportunity to build brand perception.

Your emails (and how they are delivered) say a lot about your business.  Take the time to make sure you’re sending the right message!  Send emails from a professional email address; craft a simple and memorable auto signature that leaves the recipient engaged and informed without overwhelming them; and finally, make your response time a priority – your customers will appreciate hearing back from you before they expected. (Just don’t reply at 2am on a Saturday!)  Just keep thinking, “simple, memorable, concise.”
Here’s to a happier inbox!

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Are you ready for more?  I’m determined to prove to as many photographers as will let me that you can have passion, profits and time for a great life.  I’d love to teach you, step-by-step, how it’s done.  This is happening for photographers from all over the world who are just like you.  Let me prove just how wildly successful YOU can be!

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