We work all year to prove our creativity, nurture client relationships and project personality so don’t fall at the last hurdle … put some thought into your holiday out-of-office auto reply.
Best case your message is on brand.
Probably none of these examples are but they are memorable and if nothing else they’re good thought-starters… :).
Carry-over champion from last year, still a classic
It's written in tune to eighties pop star Rick Astley’s ear-worm hit Never Gonna Give You Up.
“Never gonna give you up, Never gonna let you down, Never gonna run around and desert you,
Never gonna make you cry, Never gonna say goodbye, Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you.
I’m also never gonna reply to your message until xxxx as I’m off on holiday."
Here's a bunch of short 'n sweet replies
“Thanks for your email but...
… ask yourself, is this a January problem?"
… Santa doesn’t deliver emails over the holidays so I will not receive your message until I am back on xxx.”
… you’ll have to jingle your own bells until next year as I’m out of the studio for the holidays.”
… my mum told me to put my phone away and be full present with my family over the holidays so I will not be receiving your email until I return on xxx.”
… all emails received from now until December 31 will remain in 2025. If our email is important please follow up next year.”
… I’m not in the office right now, but if it’s important; text me using the hashtag, #YoureInterruptingMyHoliday.”
… during my leave until [Return Date], each person gets one email. Choose wisely, as I will randomly delete multiple emails.”
… I’m not at my desk. If your quest is urgent try screaming at your screen. If I hear you, I'll return. Otherwise, I'll reply when I'm back on [Return Date].”
… I’m on break to re-evaluate my life choices.”
A special one for those who are single...
Subject: Out of Office: at the Inquisition
“I’m currently at our family inquisition, otherwise known as Christmas answering questions about whether I've gained weight and how my dating life is going. If you need me, please send prayers for my safe return along with the largest bottle of wine you can find.
If I survive, I’ll be back in the office on xxx.”
And before I leave with a longer option, if you’ve been forwarded this by someone else, consider signing up for our newsletter (the form is below) to get your own copy. We write about the business of design — how to run/grow a robust, sustainable design business you’ll actually enjoy working in.
A longer OOO example
Hi there,
I’ll be out of the office until [return date] and will respond to your message then. If your request is urgent, feel free to contact [contact name] at [contact email].
In the meantime, enjoy another chapter in Molly O’Daniel’s epic journey to find her missing twin sister Mandy…
When last we met Molly, she had just escaped the clutches of the evil Lord Stanley. It was now Christmas Eve, and Molly was holed up in the cozy cabin of her dear friend Meg, safe and warm and full of holiday cheer.
It seemed as if the events of the past year were merely a terrible dream. And although she knew it wouldn’t be long before she’d have to move on again, Molly tried to relax and enjoy this quiet moment. But she couldn’t help wondering where Mandy was on this festive day. Was she safe? Would Molly reach her before something truly horrible happened to her?
With a sigh, she added a log to the fire and tucked herself beneath a blanket. And just as she was about to nod off, there came a knock at the door....”
So what?
Good clients understand the value of leave, so don’t ever apologise for stepping away from the studio for a well-earned break. But don’t take a great client for granted either. Personally contact those clients with whom you have a great relationship – they should never be surprised by an out-of-office reply.
And if they do inadvertently email you, along with others in your network?
Greet them with an out-of-office response that will bring a smile to their face so they remember why they work with you. And better still, it may make your ‘average’ clients stop and think differently about you.
I’m off to write my out-of-office reply … while you have some downtime consider jumping into our Costing, Pricing, Profit toolkit. It’s an online portal with all the tools we use to analyse business profitability including an online calculator to assess your true hourly rate. It also includes scripts to help awkward client conversations. AUD$100 immediate download.
As always, happy to discuss. Just email.
Carol Mackay
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