Choosing an email is a very personal thing. You want something fun or witty that represents you. Admittedly I sometimes get a chuckle out of email addresses. Other times I wonder what people are thinking. But if you’re running a business or searching for a home-based job online, a cute or inappropriate email address can hurt you. Hotmama(@)hotmail.com or sexylady(@)gmail.com or even joeysmom(@)domain.com don’t project the professionalism work-at-home moms need to be successful working at home. Here are some tips to make sure your email isn’t a turn off for prospective clients or employers.
1) Use your business domain name or buy a domain in your name. This gives you a professional appearance. (i.e. Sue(@)suesbusiness.com or Sue(@)SueJones.com)
2) Set up a professional account with your name through your host or use a free resources like Gmail. (i.e. SueJones(@)gmail.com)
3) Set up an account with your business or skills as the name. (i.e. SuesBusiness(@)gmail.com or SueWriter(@)gmail.com)
What you want to avoid is cutesy or even politically-inccorrect usernames that can turn people off. Instead choose a name that identifies who you are and/or what you do. This rule should also apply to usernames that you use in online forums or social networking such as Twitter.
Remember, the Internet never forgets. More and more people are using the internet to see what they can learn about you before using your services or hiring you. So don’t let something like an unprofessional email address keep you from reaching your success.
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Leslie Truex is the pajama-clad work-at-home mom dedicated to helping other moms live and work comfortably. She's the author of The Work-At-Home Success Bible and owner of 
Laurie Ayers is a WAHM from Michigan and a Star Director with 
Another important point is to avoid numbers and random letters combination, e.g. dave093ss
This also doesn’t look professional.
Well said! I would also add that an AOL or hotmail address isn’t doing you any favors either, regardless of what the user name is. And don’t forget this goes for job seekers as well, not just the self-employed.
Great advice!
Several years ago, I switched from funnynickname@hotmail.com to myrealname@gmail.com when I started job hunting again. I looks professional on a resume and shows that you are serious.
For my business, before I got my domain I did the same thing. Now I use name@greenandchic.com and a few others.
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Any time I see a business person using an email with anything other than a domain name, I can’t fully consider that person as a serious business person. Lack of a professional email addy can definitely hurt your business.
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Isn’t it funny how we seem to accept gmail.com when hotmail.com and yahoo.com are seen as less worthy?
It is kind of weird that gmail is more acceptable. I’m thinking its because you can manage multiple accounts and organize email easier with it that has people using it. I know that’s why I use it.
I’d stick with point number 1 and drop 2 & 3. A domain name costs less than $10 per year, Google Apps is free, there’s no reason to use a free email account, regardless of provider, for a professional email. If Bank of America sent you an email that was from bankofamericaaccountservices@gmail.com, would you trust it?
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Email can really speak a lot about a person. How they choose their emails can sometimes make you wonder if this person was in a state of insanity or what… Anyways, i think i’m no excuse to that, i’ve had some awfully funny, awkward email while i was in college.