That’s NOT what email is for: Unless you work for Google, don’t use a Gmail address
Email is the default way people communicate for business online. And the vast majority of us are on Google or have a Gmail address. Does that fact make you hesitant to send out calendar invitations or drive links because they don’t actually have your business email address on them?
That’s NOT what email is for!
We can do better.
This is a potential issue as part of the fourth simple machine of business: technology.
Listen in to Season 1: Episode 8
<script src="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1460722/6239740-that-s-not-what-email-is-for-unless-you-work-for-google-don-t-use-a-gmail-address.js?container_id=buzzsprout-player-6239740&player=small" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script>Email Integration Is Vital
Here’s the deal: Email is just one part of a business foundation. If your email provider isn’t Google, Microsoft, or Zoho, you are missing critical integrations for your business.
You need to have email that talks to your contacts, calendar, drive, and documents. This is critical. There’s no more room for excuses. Having a workable email address is non-negotiable now.
Remember in a previous blog when I talked about the origin of email? It literally was the first thing to ever happen online.
But the purpose of email has changed a LOT in the last 49 years. And with the continuing evolution of technology, it will continue to change.
In the beginning, there weren’t calendar apps, contact apps, online storage, file sharing, or online photo albums. Email was used for all of those things.
Now, I think email should be the last resort for communication. If the information doesn’t belong anywhere else, that’s when you send an email.
How NOT to Use Email
I do need to get one thing out of the way. This is probably the pinnacle of my email soapbox: Don’t ever use a web host for email.
Seriously, as someone who was the product director for the world’s largest domain registrar for email services, I feel very confident in saying don’t do it. Use an email host. Those three I named are the choices: Google, Microsoft, or Zoho. Pick one.
Your Goal in Using Google (or Another Host)
Alright, so you don’t have a business foundation set up. Okay, first things first. Set up email accounts with your branded email address with one of those providers. It doesn’t really matter which one; just pick one and go with it.
Second, move all of your email and information over to your new accounts. Yes, you can do this. No, don’t do this yourself. Get a professional to do it. It will cost a bit of money.
There are automated ways to get it done, but really, coming from someone who has
done it herself—don’t. Get a professional to do it. If you need one, get with me. I know a guy.
The Payoff of Transitioning
So… what does it look like on the other side? What if you took these steps and did it? (Did I mention? Do it!) All your stuff talks to each other. You’re no longer embarrassed to send out links or calendar invites because they’re not going to come from a Gmail address.
Also, your entire team will have the business basics, and you now get to spend your time and energy focusing on stuff that makes you money.
There are some places it makes sense to bootstrap in your business, but email and business foundations aren’t among them. Being confident that your emails are arriving at their destinations and that you are getting all the right email is critical to building your business and your mental health. Invest the money to get this set up right.
That’s it on the misuse of email.
Share Your Thoughts!
Have you made the transition from a Gmail address to a branded platform? I’d love to hear how that worked for you. Be sure to find me on social and let me know!
