It may seem incredibly obvious, but you might be surprised how many times small business owners, consultants, or other self-employed people go off on a family or individual vacation and forget or overlook telling their customers or clients. Perhaps they think they will not be gone very long and they won’t be missed, or they assume that they will take their laptop and cell phone with them and no one will ever know the difference. Regardless, it is just good business to tell people that you are going on vacation—even if you plan to work a little while you’re gone.
A simple e-mail letting everyone know that you will be gone and when they can expect you to be back in office is a good idea. Be sure to send it a few days in advance so that if there is anything your customers or clients need from you before you go, they have ample warning. I like to send two e-mails—one a few days in advance letting people know that I am going to be gone and then one the day before my last day, telling them exactly when will be the last moment they can contact me and whether or not I will be checking e-mail or voice messages and how often. Now, granted, some people will NOT read the e-mails and will not pay attention to all of the details, but I know that I have done my best to prepare them for my absence.
Whether you call people, send a note via the mail or use e-mail or an announcement on your web site, however you tell people that you are going to be out of the office and on vacation (or leaving for whatever reason) it is important to take the time to do it. Even if you don’t really have an “office” or you only have a couple clients, let them know what you are up to as it is the professional thing to do.
See Also: the TRAVEL Blog