What Does Your Email Address Say About You?

Are you using a social email address for business correspondence? Over the last couple of weeks or so, I’ve noticed a trend in the use of email addresses that were clearly set-up for social purposes. You know the kind I mean. The ones where you “let your hair down” and go for it.

Here’s a few examples (altered to protect the innocent):

While these racy, descriptive email addresses are fun with friends, on dating sites or on message boards, they just plain look strange on a professional website.  I know that some people have special email addresses set-up for junk mail, and I’m sure more than a few have used those addresses to register for this site.

However, when you are communicating on matters directly related to your business and profession, you need to present your business face.

Whether you like it or not, opinions are formed and judgements are made.  After all, your choice of an email address is a reflection of your judgement.

It’s not likely that I am going to refer one of my clients to an attorney whose email address is HotHipsLarry@gmail.com.  He might be one of the best divorce attorneys around, but is my client really going to want to have to deal with the image she conjurs up of Mr. “hot hips” at a time like this?  And, do I want to have to sooth her concerns when I make the referral?

Come on, folks.  It’s your brand we’re talking about here. Your email address is a client touch point for your practice.  If you don’t take your touch points serioiusly, why should prospective clients and referral sources take you seriously?

Reserve the racy email address for your personal life and use your business address for business communications.    If you like having a separate email address for professional newsletters and memberships, set-up one that doesn’t make you look silly…or worse, desperate.

Like the one I just got today from “single-stilllooking@___.com”.

Good grief!