Creative out of office replies
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… 🙂
Firstly, here’s our 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 I’ll leave with a longer option…
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 🙂
Greg and I are take a well-earned break from December 4 — January 31
Thanks for your support this year, it is very much appreciated.
Take care, Carol
Carol Mackay
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Here’s last year’s out of office responses.
About Carol
After 30+ years running a design studio, I accumulated a pretty special network of fellow designers. One thing most have in common: a need for more information about the ‘business’ side of design. Most are impatient with any task competing for time spent doing what they love – designing so they wanted more info about how to work more efficiently and effectively.
Not me. I love that intersection between design and business. I built a career working with Ombudsman schemes, the Emergency Services sector and the Courts. My special power has always been an ability to use design to translate the difficult to understand or the unpalatable message.
I now use exactly the same skills with creative business owners. I translate the indigestible into bite-sized chunks of information. I share insights, introduce tools and embed processes to help others build confidence business decision-making skills. More confidence makes it easier to grasp opportunities. More confidence makes it easier to recognise a good client from the bad.
Outside DBC I have mentored with Womentor, AGDA The Aunties, and most recently Regional Arts NSW.
And I’m a proud volunteer and board member of Never Not Creative.
Always happy to chat, I can be contacted here.
