I’m not really one for ranting. I’m not that good at it and nothing really upsets me enough to want to share it with the world.
Ok… so maybe this isn’t quite a rant.. but I’m putting my foot down and pleading. (Does that work?).
I have been talking about this for a while now.. since I wrote about the wonderful Cynthia LaLuna’s humorous Autoresponder a few posts back. I’m not over it though. Every day at the moment I get vacation autoresponders that just make me want to never email that person again.
I am not a machine. I AM A PERSON. I’m fine with you telling me you are out of the office - you could even tell me who’ll be reading your emails while your gone, or what will be happening to them. In human language. Like you care about me, like I’m a paying client or someone who could potentially be a paying client.
This morning I got a message back from someone who works at a pet store (no names) informing me they were out of the office.. that’s fine! but they added “If this is an emergency please contact ……. ” – What kind of pet shop emergency exists, and why would I be emailing if there was an emergency??
Another person (again no names) that I email on a fairly regular basis has a bounce back message that always tells me how important I am to them, and how my message will be dealt with immediately. Very efficient but do I need to get it EVERY TIME I send you an email – even if it’s just confirming coffee?
Just because we are using a computer to communicate doesn’t mean we are robotic in any way. I want emails that are written by people and are meant to be read by people. I need this to change, and I need it to change now. I would also love to see your examples of bad email responders. I’m hoping you will go and check your own, and give it a makeover. If you are brave enough send me the before and after.
Or this might happen:
“I’m sorry, Aileen is out of the office for the next hour while she bangs her head against a brick wall because you haven’t noticed that she is a real life human being”
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