OOO Messages that work harder than you do

Let's just establish that most OOO messages are super lame

(if you've seen a really good one, forward it to me. I'd love to see it!)

Wouldn't it be cool if yours was fun, and created connection, and booked appointments for you while you're gone?

If you have participated in my 10-Day LinkedIn Challenge, one of the bonuses is a lesson on creating an Out of Office message that -

Books appointments for you ?Sends people to a Landing Page for a resource ?Signs people up for your next webinar or class ?Redirects to your website or LinkedIn Profile ?All of the above

Every week, in response to this newsletter, I get a dozen OOO Messages. They are pretty boring standard fare.?

I always think to myself, "What a missed opportunity!"?

You could be sharing your sense of humor, your brand, and personality.

People really do love to know - where are you going? What will you be doing? Even if it's your nephew's wedding, a fishing trip or a class reunion.?

It gives us commonality and brings us together.?

How do you alleviate people feeling abandoned while you are MIA??

Entertain them.

Make them laugh out loud.

Inform them.

Provide a resource for them.

And, give them something proactive to do.?

A great OOO message does ALL of that. It takes some time to craft a really good one. But, if your calendar is full when you return and people are more deeply engaged with you because of the ice you broke with your message? Worth all the effort.?

Would you rather receive -?

"Thank you for your email. I am currently out of office for the rest of July and the first week of August. I will respond to emails when I am back on Monday, August 12th.? Thank you, _______________"

OR,

"I am currently on a camping trip visiting some of the National Parks with my family. If we haven't been eaten by bears or mosquitos, I will be back in the office on August 12th refreshed and ready to help you with your needs.?

Here is a link to schedule some time to discuss (the problem you solve). Have a fun-filled 2 weeks!"?

Adding a video or a photo of a past trip or your destination is an excellent touch.?

Video OOO messages are 125% more successful at getting people to respond than non-video OOO messages. Apply your sense of humor and creativity liberally!

(If you need to provide alternatives for people while you are gone, for example - if you are a therapist and need to suggest whom to get a hold of in case of a personal emergency - do set that up and outline clear instructions for that as well.)

Enjoy whatever time away you can! Go get some sand between your toes!?

And get your OOO's to work really hard for you!

Until next time...?

Angela

P.S. The visuals are everything! Here's a photo from the Marshall General Store out on Tamales Bay. Have you been there lately?

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Angela calls herself The “Accidental Entrepreneur,” having moved to the San Francisco Bay Area with her shiny new MBA and dreams of being a CMO.

Instead, she started her own business. Angela is the #LinkedInBadass sharing her expertise in Business Development, Professional Branding, Visibility & Optimization on LinkedIn.

Without a website, she built her entire vibrant business using free LinkedIn!

She is a former Rock Climbing Guide and lives in Marin where the hiking and the weather are fabulous. Being from Wisconsin, she is a diehard Packer Fan and shareholder. ????