5 Tips for Your Holiday Out of Office Messages
Don’t Forget to Set Your Out of Office Alerts!
Tip #1 Email – Please don’t forget this. We all anticipate people will be taking vacation time for the holidays, but please let us know. If you don’t respond to incoming email messages your clients could spend a lot of time trying to fix something that maybe doesn’t need to be fixed. Be clear on your departure and return dates so they can rest assured you will handle their needs upon your return.
Tip #2 Email – If you work at a large company, PLEASE don’t be the one who refers your customers to another person, who is also out, who refers them to another person, who is also out, etc. etc. etc. There is nothing more frustrating for a customer than to go on a wild goose chase just to find someone to answer their question. Plan ahead, know who will be in the office and backing up your desk.
Tip #3 Voicemail – Please don’t forget your voicemail. Phone calls may not seem as relevant as emails these days, but for urgent matters, it is still typically the first action a client or customer will utilize. Be sure your message is clearly recorded, especially if using your cell phone. Share the dates of your departure and expected return and who may be covering in your absence, or if you are a solopreneur, how they may reach you in the event of a REAL emergency. If you are going off the grid completely, then make sure they know this in advance and your projects are completed or up to date and status is reviewed in advance with your clients. They will enjoy their holidays more fully too, knowing you have covered everything in advance!
Tip #4 Email and Voicemail – Share Some Joy!! Now this is becoming a little bit of a delicate topic, so approach this with sensitivity to your company culture. Don’t go too far, but give a holiday greeting in your message if it feels appropriate with your customers and company standards. Show your personality without going overboard. Be upbeat and cheerful in your message and keep it brief.
Tip #5 Social Media – Post your company’s Holiday Hours if you will be closing early. Share an emergency contact if there is a need and someone will be available to field customer issues during your office closure. Have your marketing department design a beautiful template, with a holiday sentiment appropriate to your audience, again, the appropriate level of sensitivity here needs to be considered for your culture. For small business and solopreneurs, open up your Photoshop or Canva and design a nice message for your clients and be sure to notify them in advance of your departure.
I hope you enjoy these Out of Office Message Tips and have planned some time off to enjoy your holidays with loved ones and friends!
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Please share this post with friends and colleagues before leaving your office today!