Cross-posted on SocMedia101

Does your email look like this? [email protected] Feel free to take out ‘Yahoo!’ and insert any of the following:

• AOL
• Hotmail
• Earthlink
• Gmail
• MSN
• Comcast

When you see that my email is [email protected] or [email protected] or [email protected], you assume that I work at one of those fine establishments. Why wouldn’t I assume then, if your email was [email protected] that you worked at Comcast? Obviously, because most of us do know that Comcast is an ISP – but we also know nothing about YOU.

Here’s my point. When you’re running a business that has an online component (which just about every business at this point really should!), it is best practice to customize your email address.

When your email address is [email protected] or [email protected], it’s generic. When your email is [email protected] or [email protected], then every time you give out the address and every time someone types it in, they’re reminded of your business. If they’re just emailing you for the first time, they will likely even notice the URL and go visit it. It’s yet another easy way to promote your business and plump up your branding. As a consumer, when I see a generic email, I wonder why you haven’t taken that next step.

I know that a lot of people keep these generic email accounts for junk mail or lists, etc. Which is fine…but not the best choice for use as a professional email account. I’ve yet to come across a host (and I work within and around the major-ish brands) that doesn’t offer email with your url when you set up an account.

Do you work at Yahoo! or AOL? No…you work at your own company. Let everyone know all about it.

Image credit: yodel anecdotal