Stop Shooting Yourself in the Foot: Why Your Free Gmail Is Hurting Your Business

If you're an online coach, author, or speaker using a free Gmail address for your business, I hate to break it to you, but you're making a huge mistake.

It's like showing up to a black-tie event in your pajamas – you might get a few laughs, but you won't be taken seriously.

Let's face it: In the digital age, first impressions are everything. When you're reaching out to potential clients or partners, your email address is often the first thing they see. A generic "businessname@gmail.com" screams "amateur" and does nothing to instill confidence in your brand.

The Hidden Costs of "Free"

Gmail is great for personal use, but it's not designed for heavy-duty email marketing. Your emails are more likely to get flagged as spam, meaning they will never reach your target audience.

Sure, Gmail is convenient and, well, free. But that convenience comes at a steep price. Here's how your free email address is sabotaging your business:

1. Trust and Credibility: Would you trust a financial advisor who hands you a business card with a handwritten Gmail address? Probably not. A professional email address with your own domain (e.g., yourname@yourbusinessname.com) instantly boosts your credibility and shows you're serious about your business.

2. Deliverability: Gmail is great for personal use, but it's not designed for heavy-duty email marketing. Your emails are more likely to get flagged as spam, meaning they will never reach your target audience. A professional email service provider offers better deliverability and ensures your messages land in the right inboxes.

3. Branding: A custom email address is a powerful branding tool. It reinforces your brand identity, creates a cohesive online presence, and makes you look more professional.

4. Missed Opportunities: With Gmail, you're missing out on valuable features like customizable email templates, detailed analytics, and automated follow-up sequences. A professional email platform empowers you to create engaging campaigns, track your results, and nurture leads more effectively.

The Bottom Line

Using a free Gmail address for your business is like trying to build a house on a foundation of sand. It might look okay at first, but it's not sustainable in the long run.

Investing in a custom domain and professional email service is a small price to pay for the credibility, deliverability, and growth potential it brings to your business.

So, what are you waiting for?

Ditch the Gmail and upgrade to a professional email address today.

Your business (and your inbox) will thank you.

Now, I'd love to hear from you: Have you ever lost a client or opportunity because of your email address? Share your story in the comments below!

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Poetry Slam…

I want to bring a touch of whimsy to my posts by creating poetry inspired by today's subject, crafted in the playful style of Shel Silverstein. I would like to preface this by saying, not all of these poems are good. However, they sure are fun to read. 😁

There once was a coach named Sue,
Who emailed clients with glee,
From an address ending in "Gmail," you see,
Never thinking, "Could this be hurting me?"

Her emails, though witty and bright,
Would often get lost in the night,
Landing in spam, out of sight,
A problem she couldn't quite fight.

Her brand, once shiny and new,
Seemed less polished, less true,
Clients wondered, "Is this really you?"
When all they saw was a Gmail, too.

Sue's open rates took a dive,
Her leads went elsewhere to thrive,
Her business dreams couldn't survive,
On an email that just didn't jive.

But then one day, a wise owl flew by,
Whispering, "Sue, give a pro address a try!"
Sue switched to her own domain, oh my,
And watched her business soar to the sky.

So coaches and speakers, take heed,
Ditch the Gmail, plant your own seed,
With a custom email, you'll succeed,
And watch your business needs exceed!

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Motivational Quote

"Don't be afraid to give up the good to go for the great." - John D. Rockefeller

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Did you know…

Gmail addresses are not case-sensitive. Whether you type "NAME@GMAIL.COM" or "[name@gmail.com]," it will still reach the same inbox. (Source: Google Support)

While this is a fun fact about Gmail, it doesn't change the fact that using a generic Gmail address for business can undermine your credibility and professionalism.

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Marketing Quick Tips

1. Don't Be Generic: To establish credibility and trust, choose a professional email address that matches your website domain, e.g., yourname@businessname.com.

2. Warm Up Your Email: Before sending out mass emails, send a few test emails to yourself and friends to make sure they don't end up in spam. This helps to warm up your email address and improve deliverability.

3. Craft Compelling Subject Lines: Your subject line is the first thing recipients see, so make it catchy and relevant to the content of your email. A strong subject line can significantly increase your open rates.

4. Personalize Your Messages: Personalize your emails by addressing recipients by name and tailoring the content to their interests and needs whenever possible. This shows you've taken the time to get to know them, which can lead to higher engagement.

5. Track Your Results: Use an email marketing platform to track open rates, click-through rates, and other metrics. This valuable data can help you identify what's working and what's not, so you can optimize your campaigns for better results.

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