This past weekend I sent out my monthly e-newsletter to about 2700 people. For me, it is always instructive to read people’s out-of-office automatic replies in email. They often provide useful examples of what to avoid. Here are four such examples, with identifying information removed:
1. From a subscriber in Germany, I received this notice:
I will be out of the office starting 10/05/2007 and will not return until 21/05/2007.
Tip: Avoid using all-number dates. In Europe and many other places in the world, 10/05/2007 means May 10, 2007. But in the U.S., the same numbers signify October 5, 2007. Using the all-number style can cause your reader to stumble, if just for a moment.
2. From an ezine subscriber in an accounting firm in the U.S., I received this disclaimer:
Pursuant to Circular 230, promulgated by the Internal Revenue Service, if this letter, or any attachment hereto, contains advice concerning any tax issue or submission, please be advised that it is not intended or written to be used, and that it cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding federal tax penalties unless otherwise expressly indicated.
Tip: Avoid long disclaimers that bear no relation to your message, especially ones that are neither clear nor concise. They do not convey a crisp professional image.
3. From another subscriber in the U.S., I received this information:
Contact Melissa Smith for real estate questions. She will also be OOO 5/12-5/18. Contact Brad Wilson for accounting questions. Brad will be OOO 5/9-5/15.
I used to wonder about the people who were described in all zeros. But now I understand that OOO means “out of office.”
Tip: Avoid abbreviations that make people stop to wonder.
4. I received this auto-reply when I sent out last month’s ezine:
I will be out of the office Christmas Day and the day after, returning December 27.
Interestingly, I received that message in mid-April.
Tip: Update your out-of-office auto-reply, or set it to expire on a certain date.
If you like these examples and tips, please share your own by commenting here.
Lynn