You Should Have a Professional Email Address
Wait- I was taught by a dear friend to never should on people.
I believe it is absolutely one of the most important branding steps you can take as a business in the real world. Having a professional email address... Preferably one that matches your domain name.
It's about credibility and branding. Let's not lie and say I'm only talking about professional workplaces here. I mean, that's the point... But we all have a personal life as well.
GET A RESPONSIBLE EMAIL ADDRESS
I'm talking about everything after the age of 16.
When you create an email address, it's not private anymore. Not something you just type into e-newsletter sign ups for free games... It's used to contact you. By EVERYONE.
Imagine submitting your name for a prominent sponsorship to attend an amazing art class at your local art school. This class is for adults, beginners, and has your name all over it except the price is a bit high. You've written a good sponsorship letter, applying for some of the art school's excess funds to help offset the cost of your attendance. You've mentioned how you're owning your own art studio this year for the first time, and it's been stressful but rewarding and you'd love to add this technique so you can bring it to your customers. You lay it all on the line and sound very mature. And you just might get that sponsorship if.... They didn't look at the "Reply To" address and laugh.
Sent from your personal email address: "SexyBunny6969@yahoo.com"
So what--? You created it as a dare in 1997. It was just a joke...
Why have you not created and started using a more professional one?! People look at that.... They JUDGE THAT! Harshly.
*I used to be a recruiter for general labor hiring, you would not believe some of the email addresses people put on their resumes. I tried not to judge. Then you bring in HomeStarRunner420@gmail.com for an interview and realize that sometimes not using a professionally created email address is like using a warning label for NOT HIRING MATERIAL.*
Business Emails Stand Out
Albeit, not as much as naked chicks--> but that's also not how you're trying to stand out when in the business world. It's all about perspective here. Maintain perspective on your ideal client and the reputation you want to show them.
As for a business account, it sets your business apart from those who only promote a free-based email account. I mention this because I still use a gmail account most often for my business purposes, but I have multiple branded emails that direct for different purposes for record keeping. All forwarded to gmail for easy response. The gmail is a professional account so that when the reply comes back it's still branded. By professional account, I don't mean I paid for gmail or anything, I mean I typed my business name into the "Create your email here" box. Instead of picking something random, I kept the business name the same. You should, too. It keeps everything easily accessible for the google-searching customer who can't remember your phone number but wants to contact you about business.
Want to get started with a professionally driven email address? Begin here...