You have given words to a process that defies words. And you’re constantly in a position to help
me continue to hone that, deeper and deeper and more and more resonantly, who I am and what I offer,
which is truly invaluable. — Jon Hansen, 
Working together was absolutely key, and I think that’s what made it such a great
experience. I felt like you were my partner in this. I felt like my success was your
success. To me, someone who has that attitude and the skills to go with it —
that’s an unbeatable combination! — Daniel Stone, 
I have a website I’m proud of — but for me, the hugest benefit has been
increased self-confidence. Because of the process we went through, and the validity that
came with the process, I trust what I think and I trust myself to speak about it. I have
greater confidence and clarity in my message about who I am and what I do. — Bev
Dwane AICI CIP, 
There’s no excuse for that email address!
Have you noticed how many people in business for themselves use an email address that’s not connected with their website?
They’re using the email they get through their internet service provider. Or they’re using one of the free email services.
So their email extension (the bit after the @) is something like cox.net, san.rr.com, gmail.com, yahoo.com, or hotmail.com.
There’s no excuse for this. None.
I know many self-employed folks aren’t technical. I get that, and that’s perfectly okay. But there are plenty of people out there who can help you get a professional email address set up. It’s not hard!
Here are the two biggest reasons why this is important.
- PROFESSIONALISM
Simply put, if your business card has an email on it that’s not related to your website, I immediately – probably unfairly, but there it is – feel as if you’re not really serious. There’s an implication that you’re running an expensive hobby, or that you’ve only just gotten started and aren’t really in business. - Marketing!
If I can figure out your website URL from your email address, I might go look at it. (Do you do this? I often do.) But I never have that option if your email address doesn’t have your website URL in it.
Your website hosting service should include unlimited email addresses. If not unlimited, it should certainly include at least enough for you, your partner(s) or team member(s), your webmaster, an assistant, and maybe a generic “info” email.
If you don’t know how to set up an email with your website URL, find out how. Find someone who can help. Get it done.
And then reprint those business cards.
That is, if you want people to take you as a serious professional.
Posted under Alignment with your message.
Tags: Credibility
Comments
Comment from
Jaye Sudar
Time March 3, 2011 at 10:24 am
You are spot on. As you can see, my email matches our website. I also have an aheadresearch.net and alphadogtechs.com email. Each matches a business website.
What you did not cover is that most email addresses can be forwarded to any email client you choose. Therefore my lobosavvy and alphadogtechs emails are forwarded to my Evolution program on my computer. I don’t have to chase emails down on three or four different web based emails or have different programs running. They all merge into one program and are sorted into different folders. It is simple to do this.
Another point which will allow people to use old addresses is ‘back up’ email. I always tell clients our primary email, and say if they have trouble, to use my gmail account. This way if someone is in the habit of using gmail to contact me they can still do so. What I have learned to do is import my gmail to my Evolution program and from there reply using the company address. After a while, they get use to the company address and stop using the gmail account.
Comment from
Grace
Time March 3, 2011 at 10:29 am
Jaye – YES, absolutely! I have all my email accounts from different websites routed into Outlook 2007 on my computer. And Outlook allows me to set up a folder for each email (this is separate from the Outlook Rules, which can also sort mail for you), so – for instance – my business email comes into one folder, my email from my business partnership comes into another, and the email address I use to support my business partner’s website goes into yet another.
Probably too much information! What I’m really saying is, thank you for making an important point. Most webmail access is really tough to navigate and use effectively, so being able to route email into a user-friendly, effective tool is very important.
Comment from Stephanie Barnes
Time March 2, 2011 at 11:58 am
I know, I feel the same way! You’re not alone.