Does you e-address project a professional image? Or does it look strange, or "cute" (which Roger Parker says to avoid), or is it confusing?
Here are some e-addresses (not the actual ones, but similar) that strike me as unprofessional, with the reasons why:
* A012345@xxx.xx - Obviously not a human being;
* bdc@xxx.xx - Do I guess who has these initials?
* lucy@xxx.xx - Cute, no surname (unless it's Lucy);
* Admin@xxx.xx - Great personal touch!
* Sydney@xxx.xx - Male, female, first name, surname?
* h3Money23@xxx.xx - Where's h3Money01, etc.?
* life@xxx.xx - Is this anyone in the life dept.?
* lifesites@xxx.xx - Or anyone in the company;
* Mimi-and-Max@xxx.xx - How did Mimi get into the act?
I'm sure you can find a lot more. Most TIP subscribers have professional e-addresses that clearly indicate who sent the email message. They use the name they're known by, so if they email a client the client has no doubt who it's from.
Good examples are AlanArcher@xxx.xx, Bill.Burns@xxx.xx, ddavidson@xxx.xx, E.Emery@xxx.xx, etc.
Hyphens, and underlines are trickier to remember, so try to avoid them. Some people even have problems with periods. I use 'donpooley', and tell people "it's all one word", to keep it simple.
Clients want to know:
1. that they're dealing with a human being;
2. whose name they remember (but not their initials);
3. not the cute receptionist;
4. or the impersonal admin department;
5. where there's no doubt about the sex or surname of the source;
6. and he/she is not one of a number series;
7. or just anyone in the department or firm;
8. or possibly the spouse of their advisor.
Think about it. If you want to be considered a professional, your image must reflect it in every way. Don't let your e-address dull your image or confuse your clients.
Is Your EAddress Unprofessional - To learn more about this author, visit Donald F. Pooley's Website.
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Donald F. Pooley
(Visit Donald's Website)
Don Pooley, the author of this article,
allows you to publish
it if you include these credit lines:
Copyright 2005, Donald F. Pooley, Inc.
Don Pooley CLU, CFP, CHFC, "The
Advisor's Advisor" has shared
his marketing know-how with audiences of
life insurance men
in all major Canadian cities, London,
Australia, Chicago, New
York, San Francisco, Hong Kong, and
Singapore, and now in his
free ezine. To get more ideas on marketing
your services, plus
free ebooks, subscribe now at www.eTIP.ca/
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