When you email info@company.com, do you feel excited? Do you feel confident that you’ll get a response? Probably not. We all know that most of the time, emailing “info” is like sending our query into a black hole. Will somebody respond? Who will it be? A person? A robot?
If we are trying to provide personalized service (and we all are!) then why would you depersonalize the very first point of communication? Your service is personalized. Show that off in the first step …
Today, I propose that we banish info email addresses forever. Here’s why:
1. You’re wearing a giant “boring” sticker. Info is so generic, and while people do want information—what they really want—is a personal connection. Creative companies should let their personalities shine through on their website, and having “info” as your first route of contact is like wearing a giant “boring” sticker. And I know you’re not boring!
2. Info has a stinky reputation. Have you ever needed someone to move your piano, clean your house, or do you taxes—and emailed an info address to never get a response? I have. So many times. And because of these unresponsive companies, info addresses have a bad rep. Info is a cop out. Info goes into the great abyss where nobody is taking responsibility. My piano would still be unmoved!
You’re hesitating—and I know why…
It’s because of the bigger is better phenomenon. You want clients to know you’re not just a teeny weeny “freelancer” working out of your home. You’re capable of taking on large projects, being organized, giving them kick-butt work and a professional experience. Sure, 10 years ago it was different. People wanted to seem bigger. But Sara Horowitz, Founder of the Freelancers Union, says that today: “Freelancers are 1 in every 3 workers.”
Whether it’s just you, a small virtual team, or a huge team—it doesn’t really matter anymore. Today it’s okay to show up and be your business. Let everybody know about it!
Here’s how to get personal with your contact email:
- Use your first name! Alleviate the questioning and uncertainty by using the most direct, most personal option. It’s simple. Yes, I work with a virtual team, but you can email me directly at Jill@JillLynnDesign.com.
- Even if your company has 400 people, they all still have names. You can be a big company, and still have that email go to a specific person. (Jenny McFab is our meeter, greeter and estimate giver. Jenny would love to help answer your questions! Email her at jenny@designfirm.com and she’ll get back to you lickety-split.)
- Even the behemoths know personalization is important. It’s why the people at Starbucks ask your name when you order coffee. They say, “(NAME), your latte is ready” instead of just calling you Coffee Drinker.
- If you are a big firm, and a number of people actually answer those incoming emails, trade in your info address for something with more personality. Pick a fun word or phrase—something that actually relates to your business:
- beawesome@designfirm.com
- supertroopers@designfirm.com
- timetosparkle@designfirm.com
- getbuttery@designfirm.com
Being personal is working. It’s what today’s businesses and customers crave. That’s why I’m helping clients show their true colors through web design.
Ready to start authentic—with you as your business? Let’s talk.
Stay tuned. Next time, I’ll make the we vs. I decision very simple.
Great topic Jill! And I like the virtual team verbage too =)
I’m convinced, so I would like to have my name + co name.ie. Where do I start?
Hey Orla – you’ll need to register the domain name you want. Then you can set up email with that domain with your web host (or wherever you host your email, like Gmail, etc.)
This is great and exactly what I needed to think about in picking an email for my company, especially since my company is me! Caterina@caterinasnyder.com seems like one too many Caterina’s. So I thought I’d give freedom@caterinasnyder.com a go since that’s what I give people.
Thats true. Personalized emails has got a great impact over peoples mind and is good for all businesses.
Awesome topic–and great post. I found this after googling “info” alternatives. One thing I discovered in this process is that google domains allows each user to have up to 30 aliases–which means you can almost try different ideas in different places and see which works best.
Thanks for putting this up.
Cheers!
I say hello to ‘info’ – it’s neutral, professional, and no-nonsense. At best a ‘fun’ word sounds simple-minded, at worse pretentious. I don’t like “we’re harmless cute bunnies!” company website presentation or the inane “reaching out” that Americans are so fond of.
The majority of folk are not stupid. “Hey there! You guys are awesome! Wow… we love to talk… hit us up at cooldudes@idiots.com“
Ah, but harmless cute bunnies are so fun! But, yes, I see your point. There’s definitely your target audience’s mindset and expectations to take into consideration.
I went with heyjay as my name is Jason and all my like people would say Hey Jay when calling out to me. It was my original email with hotmail back in the 90’s as well. Wanted to get your thoughts on this approach. (heyjay@raisethebar.today & hey@raisethebar.today)
I create and manage websites, yall email if you need those services. #raisethebar
I love it! 🙂
The ‘raise the bar’ Jason is not the same Jason who wrote with such graphic force on the evils of cute bunnies.
The question then is whether you require to be stimulated by a third Jason, preferably not identical to the second Jason who prostitutes his services to all and sundry.
It depends on whether this third Jason likes cute bunnies.