Photo: Lynda Hinton @Unsplash.com
We’re on the one horse open sleigh ride into Christmas holidays. For most businesses and corporates, that’ll mean an increase in your communication with audiences.
There’s a lot to say, after all, like thanking clients and customers for their business, informing people of your office hours and closures, or sharing a big business update.
It has been a massive year/s.
So, why not inject some eggnogged spirit into your otherwise stuffy and yawnspiring work words?
Here are 3 Jolly ways you can make your work words jingle this Christmas.
#1 Overhaul your overused email sign off
It’s been a wild year; a water park-sized slip n slide of fun and fear.
You’re extremely grateful for your clients and employees who stuck with you, for showing up and working with you through the waves.
**Fantastic** doesn’t come close to cutting it.
Neither does the same cliched appreciation email you send every year. And if you think amplifying your use of unnecessary adverbs and adjectives makes your appreciation appear greater, your incredible naivety is greatly mistaken.
It could all read like a lack of appreciation.
Let’s shake the pumpkin spice jar on this one.
Example:
“It has been ***fantastic*** working with you this year. We hope that you have a very Merry Christmas and Prosperous New Year!”
👇👇👇
“You’re a legend, Sonia. Thank you for XXX.
Happy Christmas/Eggnog Day/BBQ Prawns 🦐and Fambam Day. Enjoy the break. Can’t wait to do it all again with you next year 🎆”
#2 Dip your work words in festive puns
It's the most PUNDERFUL time of the yeeeeear. If there ever was a time to show merriment in your work words... tis the season to be a rebel without a Claus 🎅
So, my tree-mendous 🎄 friends, here are a few of my favourite *Tinsel-spirational* puns for you to use in your work emails >
1. Your presents is required in the manager's office🎁
2. 2022 - what a Grinch. It's forced us all to hold on for deer life🦌
3. We can't celebrate in person, so take an elfie with your Zoom team!
4. You totally sleigh-ed it this year, Samantha.
5. A round of Santa-plause, please.
6. You snow the drill, office closure from...❄
7. Don't be elfish, share the love
8. Have your elf a Merry little Christmas.
9. It's the most wine/whine-derful time...🍷
10. Remember to use Santa-tiser around the family this year!
#3 Stuff your Out Of Office with festive cheer!
Serious question – How often do you read the out of offices that bounce into your inbox?
I mean, sure, you read the first one, maybe two, and think to yourself, I really need to get mine set up before I forget. But then every other email that appears like magic with a subject line, Automatic responder: Out of office, you just hit delete, yeah?
MAYBE you check what date they return in case you need something urgent from them, but mostly, you just yawn and hit delete. *I* just yawn and hit delete.
This is your chance!
Show the people you work with that you’re a real human with a fun and creative OOO.
Here’s mine for 2020, remembering that I’m a bold lass unafraid to throw down a swearie reference. This most definitely is not one-size-fits-all 😉 >>>
(^^^ One for the Aussies!)
What people will see when they email me over the holidays.
OOO’s can be fun.
Everything that happens at this time of year can be a turkey stuffed with fun.
Goodness, imagine how many OOO’s your clients / teammates / customers are reading next week that say EXACTLY THE SAME BORING THING.
And then your email explodes tinsel into their inbox, jingling the joy we all so desperately need right now.
Lighten up. Loosen up. Get creative.
***** I understand that F bombs probs aren’t your thing. But don’t let that ruin ‘creativity’ for ya. And whatever you do, DON’T hand this to your AI because it will not be personable 😉
Try:
Telling a short story.
Using puns or playing on Xmas themes (“I'm off snogging Santa under the mistletoe”).
Writing your own rhyme.
Telling 'em where you'll be > “forcing the cat to wear a hideous Santa hat and elf collar for your family portrait” (just me?).
Sharing said pic of cat in festive attire. People love humiliated pets.
And please, show me your creations below in the comments!
Write work words that twinkle with personality
It’s not long now ‘til the jolly fat man in his red onesie scoots into town. If there ever was a time to boldly embrace your creativity and let your true spirit shine through in your work words, tis the season.
Have fun with it. #noragrets
Happy holidays!
Ninja looking dreadfully unimpressed in his festive dress.