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When You Change Your Email Address

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Lynn Gaertner-Johnston Updated on

The other day I got an email reply with a change of someone's address. It made me laugh. It said:

Please email me at my gmail account as I no longer use this account.

Can you guess why I laughed? Of course!

I didn't have the person's gmail address.

I receive such "email me at my other address" replies, without the other address given, several times a year. Are people trying to tell me something? Do they want me not to find them? Or do they want me to work to find them?

Here is my suggestion: If you change email addresses and you want people to be able to reach you, provide your new address–don't just refer to it.

Please write to me here–or at my old address.

Lynn
Syntax Training

 

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By Lynn Gaertner-Johnston

Lynn Gaertner-Johnston has helped thousands of employees and managers improve their business writing skills and confidence through her company, Syntax Training. In her corporate training career of more than 20 years, she has worked with executives, engineers, scientists, sales staff, and many other professionals, helping them get their messages across with clarity and tact.

A gifted teacher, Lynn has led writing classes at more than 100 companies and organizations such as MasterCard, Microsoft, Boeing, Nintendo, REI, AARP, Ledcor, and Kaiser Permanente. Near her home in Seattle, Washington, she has taught managerial communications in the MBA programs of the University of Washington and UW Bothell. She has created a communications course, Business Writing That Builds Relationships, and provides the curriculum at no cost to college instructors.

A recognized expert in business writing etiquette, Lynn has been quoted in "The Wall Street Journal," "The Atlantic," "Vanity Fair," and other media.

Lynn sharpened her business writing skills at the University of Notre Dame, where she earned a master's degree in communication, and at Bradley University, with a bachelor's degree in English.

4 comments on “When You Change Your Email Address”

  • Isn’t changing email address more stressful than moving house?

    Rule #1 for email (or any other writing): Ask “What can I be almost certain my audience knows already?” then tell them the rest.

  • I think the easiest way is to use the new email address to send a message with the old email address or your name as the subject. This way you can add the new email address to your contacts very easily.

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