What is an email alias? A quick guide to email branding!

In nearly every brand coaching session, a common question arises: "What is an email alias and how do I use it?" It's clear that this 'email-stuff' isn't always common knowledge. If you haven't had a session with DBJ Studio (yet!), chances are you might be wondering the same thing.

In today's post, we're going back to the fundamentals of email branding to demystify it for you. We'll explore:

• Personal Vs Corporate Email Addresses

• Domains

• Email Aliases (or Alternate Emails)

• Email Signatures

Personal Vs Corporate Email Addresses: Why it Matters

While a personal email like yourname123@gmail.com is perfectly fine for friends and family, it immediately signals "hobby" or "side hustle" when used for business.

A corporate email address, on the other hand, uses your business's domain name (e.g. yourname@yourbusiness.com) and instantly conveys professionalism, builds trust, and reinforces your brand. It tells clients you're serious, established, and credible. It’s a foundational piece of your email branding.

Understanding Domains: Your Online Address

So, what's a domain? Simply put, your domain is your unique address on the internet (e.g. dbjstudio.co.uk). It’s what people type into their browser to find your website. It's also the part that comes after the '@' symbol in your corporate email address.

Owning your domain is vital for professional email branding because it grants you authority and consistency. It ensures your email address matches your website, creating a seamless and trustworthy brand experience for anyone who contacts you.

If you have a website, you likely already own your domain, and you should absolutely be using it for your email!

What is an email alias?

Now, for the star of the show: the email alias. An email alias is simply an alternative email address that forwards all incoming messages directly to your primary email inbox. It's like having multiple phone numbers that all ring the same phone.

For example, if your primary email is sarah@yourbusiness.com, you could set up aliases like hello@yourbusiness.com, info@yourbusiness.com, or sales@yourbusiness.com. All emails sent to these aliases would land in Sarah's inbox.

Email communication will always be one of the most important methods of contact, and an alias is an easy way of segmenting your business without having to pay for multiple inboxes!

Why are email aliases crucial for email branding?

Professionalism:

They make your business appear more organised and established, even if you're a one-person team.

Clarity:

They help direct specific inquiries (e.g. sales questions to sales@) even if they all go to the same person.

Consistency:

They provide standard, branded contact points that clients can easily remember.

Flexibility:

You can create aliases for specific campaigns, departments, or even temporary needs, all without needing to set up new, separate inboxes.

Privacy:

It keeps your primary personal email hidden and prevents it from getting overwhelmed.

It's important to remember that an email alias doesn't have its own separate inbox. It's purely a forwarding mechanism, streamlining communication into one central location for you. If you have multiple members of staff who need access to their own inboxes, an email alias may not be right for that purpose.

Email Signatures: Your Digital Business Card

Finally, let's talk about email signatures. This small section at the bottom of your emails is a powerful piece of email branding that's often overlooked. It's your digital business card, reinforcing your professionalism and providing crucial information.

What to include in a branded email signature:

• Your Name & Title: Clearly state who you are and your role.

• Company Name & Logo: Reinforce your brand visually.

• Website Address: Make it easy for recipients to visit your site.

• Contact Details: An easy way for people to contact you, such as a phone number or booking link.

• Social Media Links: Direct traffic to your professional social channels (optional, but good for engagement).

• A concise, professional design: Avoid overly long signatures or too many graphics that might look cluttered.

A consistent, well-designed email signature instantly elevates your professionalism and ensures every outgoing email is a mini-billboard for your brand.

Elevate Your Brand with Smart Email Practices

From choosing a corporate email address, to leveraging email aliases and perfecting your signature, each of these elements plays a vital role in building a cohesive, professional, and trustworthy brand identity. Don't underestimate the power of your email in making a strong impression and building lasting connections. It's a fundamental aspect of your email branding that costs very little but yields significant returns.