Why Not Spice Up Your Out of Office Messages

  
 I attended a webinar the other day where the matter of setting yourself apart from your competition was the theme. One of the areas that was discussed was phone and email messages when you are not available.
You know I am always preaching the "set yourself apart from the crowd" sermon.  I think this is just another way to do that and have some fun in the process.  Let your imagination be your guide.
     Recently, I took a day off to spend with my wife and dog at our nearby beach. Here is what I left on my out of office email reply as well as my voice mail

About 10AM Friday morning I hope to be sitting on the beach in Lewes, DE with my wife, our dog, a fishing pole and my Jeep.  If you are not able to join us there to discuss the matter at hand, trust that I will be back at my desk Monday morning and will get back to you ASAP unless of course I am swallowed by a large fish who will hopefully spit me out in a few days on a beach in Bermuda where I would likely pursue the life of a beach bum and not be able to return your email or call.

     Hokey?  Probably! But it is being personal and offering some harmless information about yourself that will perhaps help build or strengthen a relationship.  Even if it does nothing to increase the size of your wallet, it is just fun stuff to do and your callers will enjoy the break from the mundane.
     Or maybe your would rather continue with this type of "exciting" message

Sorry I missed your email. I am on vacation and will be back in a week.

     Anyway, make it fun, make is personal as in letting them know what the heck you are doing and make it creative by injecting with large does of your personality aka known as what you like to do when not in the office..