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How to Write An Automated Email Response: Tips & Examples

Streamline Business Communication with our Omnichannel Solution

Priya Naha

Senior Writer:

green tickReading Time: 5 Minutes
green tickPublished : July 4, 2024

Good relationships with clients, customers, and coworkers all depend on effective communication. 77% of B2B buyers prefer email for contact.

When you are unable to respond right away, an automated email response acknowledges receipt of a message and gives important details. When you’re on a trip, traveling for work, or otherwise occupied, these responses come in handy.

But badly written automatic responses can come across as harsh or robotic.  This article will help you write well-crafted automatic email reply solutions by providing examples and advice for a range of scenarios. 

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Pro-Tip

When setting up automated email responses, tailor messages to reflect your brand's tone and values. Ensure clarity by providing essential details like your return date and alternative contacts for urgent matters.

What Is An Automated Email Response?

An automated email response, commonly referred to as out of office messages, is a prewritten response that notifies senders of your absence.

Auto reply messages can be as basic as notifying someone of an upcoming absence or as extensive as providing emergency protocols or other contacts. They are automated responses to emails sent via a web form or the company’s support address. It includes information about team working hours and expected response times. 

While some businesses use comprehensive auto reply email templates with loads of information, others use brief responses.

Automatic Email Reply: Why and When Do We Need Them?

Being quick to respond to incoming messages shows sincerity, especially when you’re trying to impress clients. However, often, private responsibilities or other obligations prevent you from responding right away. Establishing an understanding and concise out-of-office email is crucial in these situations.

Learning about automated email response examples is essential to manage response delays. To reduce frustration, they set expectations, notify senders of their availability, and confirm receipt of messages.

There are some common scenarios where users can use auto reply emails. It includes:

  • Business Travel: Inform recipients of any upcoming conferences, meetings, or business vacations. If needed, provide a backup contact.
  • Overwhelming Workload: When you’re busy, acknowledge emails and let them know when you can respond.
  • Vacation/time off:  Let people know that you’ll be unavailable and when they might anticipate a response.
  • Email Address Changes: Use automatic replies on your previous address to notify contacts of your new one.
  • Emergency/Unexpected Absence: Notify senders of any emergency or unexpected absence, along with your projected return date and other contacts.
  • Testing/Maintenance: Inform users when there will be system testing or maintenance and when regular service should resume.
  • Reduced Work Hours: To establish expectations for response times, let people know when you check your email.

An autoresponder email message should be sent once when a customer first contacts your team, but not for every subsequent response unless there’s been a significant delay. If you can’t always rely on auto-replies, think about using them to manage consumer expectations during times when response times could fluctuate, like on holidays.

It is helpful to have a quick auto reply unless you have almost instantaneous response time. It boosts customer satisfaction, acknowledges receipt of requests, and offers useful details.

Tips: Do’s And Don’ts Of Auto-Response Email

It may take a few attempts to create the ideal out-of-office message, but following certain rules can greatly increase its value and performance. Let’s see. 

Do’s of Automated Email Responses

1. Set Clear Expectations

When configuring an automatic email response, ensure to specify your unavailability along with the expected time of your return and response. It reduces frustration and helps in managing customer expectations.

2. Provide Alternate Contacts

Give other contact details for emergencies. It guarantees that vital concerns can be resolved as soon as possible even while you’re not there, enhancing the delight of clients or coworkers.

3. Timely Follow-Up

As quickly as you get back, give priority to responding to emails that you missed. It displays reliability and guarantees that any outstanding problems are quickly resolved, preventing them from getting worse.

4. Test the Automation

Ensure that your auto reply is accurate and effective before turning it on. It helps prevent mistakes that could cause confusion or missed communications, including using the wrong date or contact information.

5. Personalize Whenever It’s Possible

If your email system permits it, use recipient names and other information, like their request or question, to make your auto-responses more individualized. Its human touch can improve response and engagement.

6. Update As Needed

Continually check and update your automated responses to reflect any modifications to your contact details, working hours, or availability. Maintaining this data up to date guarantees that receivers get relevant and accurate data.

Don’ts of Automated Email Responses

1. Overload With Details

Avoid giving unnecessary information. Ensure the message is clear and concise, and focus on including only the essential details, like your dates of absence and alternative contacts.

2. Neglect Timely Follow-Up

You risk missing opportunities or receiving unsatisfactory responses if you don’t swiftly follow up on emails that were received while you were away. Make it a priority to take care of any unresolved business as soon as you get back to ensure effective communication.

3. Forget To Disable Auto-Replies

Remember to turn off your automated response as soon as you are back and able to answer directly. Failing to do so could cause recipients’ confusion and result in the sending of pointless automatic responses.

4. Use Complex Language

Provide clear, concise text in your automated messaging. Stay away from using jargon or extremely technical terms that could confuse readers to ensure your message is understood clearly.

5. Use Spammy Language

Avoid using any words or strategies that could set off spam filters. Don’t use a lot of punctuation or make grand statements in your auto-responses; instead, keep them professional and informational.

5 Automated Email Response Examples

The tone and substance of these automatic email response examples differ widely. Even while not all follow the previously described rules exactly, there is enough variety among them, so you can choose an example that fits the tone and strategy you want to use for your business.

Example 1: Out Of Office Email

Subject: Out of Office

Hi,

I am currently unavailable and unable to access my email today, [date], due to an urgent matter requiring immediate attention. I will return tomorrow and regret any inconvenience this may cause.

For urgent matters, please contact [colleague's name and contact details], who will be able to assist you promptly.

Thank you for your understanding.

Best regards,
[Your Name]

Example 2: Enquiry Email

Subject: Enquiry For [Product/Service/Topic]

Hi [Name of customer],

We appreciate you reaching out to us. Your inquiry has been received and is currently under review by our dedicated team.

Kindly allow us [specify the estimated response time, like 24 to 48 hours] to ensure we can resolve your concern. Please feel free to respond to this email with any additional details you may have that can assist us in better understanding your needs.

We are grateful that you have chosen [Your company name] as your supplier for [Product/service/topic].

Sincerely,
[Name]
[Your position]
[Name of your company]

Example 3: Job Applications

Subject: Confirmation of Receipt for Your Job Application

Thank you for your interest in [Company Name]. This message is an automated acknowledgment that we have received your application for the [Job Title] position.

We appreciate the time and effort you've invested in applying to join our team. Our hiring team will review your application. If your credentials meet our requirements, we will get in touch with you to get on with the hiring process.

Please understand that, due to the high volume of applications we receive, individual responses may not be feasible. However, be assured that your submission is valued and will be carefully considered.

Thank you for considering a career with [Company Name]. We extend our best wishes to you in your job search.

Warm regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Position]
[Company Name]

Example 4: Alert/Reminder Emails

Subject: Important Account Update – [Brief Description]

Hi [Customer Name],

I hope this email finds you in good spirits. We are contacting you to let you know of a significant development related to your [Your Company Name] account.

Account Update Details:

Description: [Shortly describe the update]
Effective Date: [The day the update becomes operative]
Action Required: [If appropriate, list any activities that the customer must do]

For further questions or additional details, please don't hesitate to contact our experienced assistance team at [Support Email or Phone Number].

We appreciate you considering [Your Company Name] to be a valuable partner.

With regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Company Name]

Example 5: Scheduled Down Time

Subject: Scheduled System Maintenance Notification

Hi [Name],

Thank you for reaching out to [Company Name]. We value your inquiry and regret any inconvenience caused. Currently, we are undergoing scheduled maintenance to enhance our systems.

Our website and services will be temporarily unavailable. The maintenance is scheduled to take place from [Start Date and Time] to [End Date and Time]. Please note that these times are approximate, and we aim to complete the maintenance promptly.

Please call our support team at [Emergency call Phone Number] or [Emergency Contact Email] if you require immediate assistance. They are at your disposal to help you throughout this time.

We sincerely regret any inconvenience caused and value your patience while we work to make our services better.

Warm regards,
[Name]
[Your Role]
[Name of Company]

 
Improve your Email Response.
Leverage ControlHippo to Increase Engagement and Engage Better over Emails.

Send Automated Response Email Using ControlHippo

Crafting automated email responses is an essential communication skill. With the tips and examples provided for automated email response customer service, you can create auto-responders that efficiently acknowledge incoming emails and establish clear expectations with both internal teams and external contacts. 

Using ControlHippo for automated email responses, businesses can easily manage many email accounts. ControlHippo guarantees quick and reliable communication through a variety of email channels by automating responses. In addition to saving time for the customer service team, it improves productivity in answering questions from customers and resolving problems quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

A good automated email response is clear, concise, and timely, acknowledging receipt, setting expectations for follow-up, and providing alternative contacts for urgent matters, enhancing customer experience and efficiency.

Mailbox auto reply examples include: We've received your email and will respond promptly. Your support request is acknowledged; we appreciate your feedback and will reply soon.

Common automated emails include welcome messages, order confirmations, shipping notifications, payment receipts, appointment reminders, and feedback requests. These emails streamline communication and enhance customer experience efficiently.

Updated : July 5, 2024

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