Why You SHOULD Use Free E-mail
Written by Michele T on July 26, 2008 – 5:53 pm -By
I was planning on publishing a different post but something happened to change that. I’ve decided to share my GINORMOUS MISTAKE with you all, so what happened to me doesn’t happen to you. It’s embarrassing, frustrating, makes me want to cry – and it could have been prevented. So, what happened? What’s up with the above title? Why should you use free e-mail?
Here’s what happened:
Some of you might remember I started out with my very first website hosted at vistaprint.com. I was so excited to have a website for sharing my portfolio – a real website to display my freelance writing services. I chose my template, wrote the content, and published it for all the world to see. It was all I needed – until I decided to move this blog from Blogger to its own domain and self-host it with WordPress. It’s been a journey filled with ups and downs but I’m so glad I made the decision to just go for it. I’ve had a lot of support from you, my cherished readers, and I really appreciate it more than you’ll ever know.
Now, don’t get me wrong, VistaPrint was really good to me. It’s just that when I decided to move this blog to WordPress, I didn’t see any reason to keep the VistaPrint account when I could host my freelance site at the same place I chose for this blog – BlueHost.com.
The Process
There began the journey of having Goofy Girl Designs create a fresh look while I started writing all new content to reflect the creative, inspiring writer I am. It’s not easy to write great things about myself, but I don’t want to be invisible* after all! Then there was the fun of waiting (with much anticipation!) for it to all be done. It didn’t take long, though. My new website is finished and since it’s also a WordPress site, it was actually live while my first website was still live at VistaPrint.com. That was a little strange. How’d that happen, you ask? Well, it’s too long a story to get into here, but it just had to do with the fact that I own michele-tune.com and micheletune.com (without the dash).
So, what’s my point? Why should you use free e-mail?
Once the new site was ready, I hesitated on transferring the VistaPrint domain to BlueHost.com. I should have listened a little closer to that inner voice tugging at me. I started the process and waited, all the while thinking all of my e-mails within my VistaPrint account would just “transfer” right along with my domain. You’re shaking your head right now, right? Well, I didn’t realize what would happen next. I couldn’t gain access to my domain’s e-mail account! I started panicking because the editors I was waiting to hear from might respond and their e-mail would be gobbled up by the wonky situation. Oh, what to do?
I got BlueHost.com on Live Chat and VistaPrint on the phone. VistaPrint told me I didn’t even have an account with them. Er, what? Huh? BlueHost told me they were sorry, but that I surely had lost all my e-mails since the domain was close to being resolved and I couldn’t gain access to my e-mail account. This went on for a couple of days. Finally, I got a message saying that VistaPrint.com was having technical difficulties and they’d have them fixed as soon as possible.
The Happy Ending
During that time of the “technical issues” I managed to get to my e-mails (how, I don’t know because VistaPrint said I don’t even show up on their records as having an account!). I was able to save all of my important e-mails, contacts, and markets and stuff I had saved there. Sheesh, what a relief! I think it was a miracle, really.
The domain has resolved and is pointing in the right direction. 
And, I’m currently using free e-mail. Even though I had free e-mail for personal e-mails, I had heard negative things about using it for editors/clients. Why? Because they wouldn’t take a writer as serious if he/she were using a free e-mail service. That’s what kept me from using free e-mail. Well, I’d rather have an editor or client have a working e-mail to reach me with then to use only a domain e-mail that I might not always have access to.
What have I learned?
- to study a little more before I leap into a technical situation I don’t know anything about
- to follow Melissa Donovan’s advice and back everything up*!
- not to risk my precious correspondence with editors because of what someone thinks about free e-mail
- to always keep a printed version of all current and important contact information
- to give the guy at VistaPrint who told me I didn’t have an account with them the benefit of the doubt. Maybe it was his first day!
So, what about you? Do you use a free e-mail address for your writing business? Do you have your e-mails forwarded from one e-mail address to another so you’ll have them in another location? Do you back up often enough? Has anything like this ever happened to you? Am I doing the right thing by using free e-mail? Throw your opinion in the comments. Let us know!
And a special thanks to Goofy Girl Designs:I love my new site and have received a lot of e-mails and positive feedback about it. I couldn’t be happier. Thanks, Heather!
*linked to Sharon Hurley Hall, at Get Paid to Write Online – Are You Invisible?
and Melissa Donovan, at Writing Forward – When It All Comes Crashing Down
Here’s to safe e-mail correspondence while writing the cyber highway!
Writing the Cyber Highway Copyright 2008 Michele L. Tune All Rights Reserved
Tags: domain transfers, domains, e-mail accounts, free e-mails
Posted in Writing, Writing Thoughts, Writing Wisdom | 27 Comments »
July 26th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Glad you had a happy ending, Michele. I use Gmail for domains to handle my email and it’s backed up by another free Gmail account where I forward everything that hits my inbox. Even that isn’t totally foolproof, though it works most of the time.
Sharon Hurley Halls last blog post..Are You Invisible?
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July 26th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
Hi, Sharon. I’m glad I had a happy ending, too. At least if I forward everything to another account, I’ll know I did everything I possibly could. Oh, and another important point I forgot to make (guess I’m going to have to edit!) is the importance of having all the contacts in a different location. I was so foolish not to do that! I’ll now have everyone’s contact info in print version should anything else go wonky on me.
*smiles*
Michele
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July 26th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Oh dear, I have so many email addresses, I can hardly keep up. In fact, I only check two regularly — one for personal and one for business. That’s one of my summer projects, consolidate and restructure my email.
Many years ago, when I’d gotten a new computer, I transferred all my files. Except my Outlook mail files. So I lost a whole bunch of email. Nothing critical, but some stuff I would have liked to keep. Now I always back up my email AND my fonts
Thanks for the link love Michele!
Melissa Donovans last blog post..A is for Apple
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July 26th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Michele,
So glad everything worked out for you! That might have been disastrous!
As you know, I use G-mail, a free web-based e-mail service. I have two accounts: a personal one (which I’ve always used for business, as well) and one for my blog. Since my blogging platform doesn’t provide an e-mail address, I decided to create my own, using the name of my blog @ gmail.com. I felt this was important for branding purposes, and I also didn’t want to give out my personal e-mail address on my blog.
It’s working quite well, and I recommend it for bloggers who either don’t have, or for whatever reason, don’t want to use the e-mail accounts that come with many blogs. It’s a really simple way to get your blog’s title into your (free) e-mail address and advertise your brand.
Love your new website!
Jeanne
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July 26th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
@Melissa – You sound like me! I have several e-mail addresses, too. Hopefully we’ll both get them under control before next year, eh? hehehe
Too bad you lost your e-mails in that computer transfer. Yeah, I definitely have started figuring out ways to back up as much as possible!
You’re welcome for the link love. Anytime!
*smiles*
Michele
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July 26th, 2008 at 11:33 pm
@Jeanne – I’m glad everything worked out, too! I was in tears. Whew, it was a close one…
Yeah, I’ve had a G-mail account for like 3 years, I think, just didn’t want to use it for editors/clients for reasons I mentioned in the post. I do have the blog @ gmail.com e-mail addresses. You’re right, it definitely helps with branding. But using different addresses – especially now that my blog list is growing – gets to be too much some days. That’s why I was really enjoying using the domain e-mail. It cut down on using so many of the others.
Glad you love my new site. I’m really thrilled with it – tickled pink, actually!
*smiles*
Michele
Micheles last blog post..Juice Fasting Cleanse: Do You Eat Processed Meat?
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July 26th, 2008 at 11:45 pm
Michele,
I’ve noticed that more editors/clients are using G-mail themselves these days.
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July 26th, 2008 at 11:47 pm
@Jeanne – I’ve noticed that, too! Guess we’re all learning to worry about the safety of our correspondence instead of what people think about free e-mail, eh?
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July 26th, 2008 at 11:55 pm
Yes! Thankfully, free e-mail is losing its stigma!
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July 27th, 2008 at 5:53 am
I have multiple email addresses as well. Some are my domain name addresses and others free email accounts. I have them all point to a single gmail address. Doing that means I only check one account and I keep all my contacts in one central place. It also means only one set to backup.
I’m glad you were able to salvage everything. Personally I wouldn’t have given the VistaPrint guy the benefit of the doubt. Maybe their ‘technical difficulties’ were creating the problem but the truth is, even after your domain name transfer was complete that information exists in their servers and he COULD have got it for you. They do regular backups too (or should).
I honestly think it’s just bad customer service and since you were leaving them they weren’t to eager to help you do so.
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July 27th, 2008 at 6:02 am
@Rebecca – I’m working on getting all my e-mails to point to one e-mail, too. It really makes things easier.
Thanks for all your help and encouragement when that was going on, by the way. I had meant to mention you and forgot. UGH!
I’m so glad I was able to get it as well. Yeah, I suppose he probably just didn’t want to help me AT ALL because I was leaving. At least I was kind, though, and I was able to save my stuff.
I’m just glad it’s over and I can focus on being better prepared in case anything wonky happens again.
*smiles*
Michele
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July 27th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Michele,
Like everyone else, I’m glad you had a happy ending.
I must be the only person in the world who doesn’t like gmail. I’ve had an account for a long time as a backup, but I’ve never really like it. Now I can’t access it … the inbox loads but I get an error every time I try to click on a message. Rather than spending time trying to resolve the problem, I just gave up gmail.
I’ve never had problems with any of my domain-related e-mail addresses (a couple dozen) in the 6 or 8 years I’ve been with my Web host. I have addresses for all of the clients I maintain Web sites and blogs for as well as several others. I get them all in Outlook, and I have an organization system that works well for me. Although I do have Web access to my accounts in case I ever have problems with my computer, I prefer to store my messages on my computer using my own system.
Guess it’s another case of “to each his own.”
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July 27th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
@Lillie – Thanks, it was a great relief that everything worked out in the end.
Sorry about your negative experience with gmail. Like so many others say, what works for one doesn’t necessarily work for another.
Sounds like you have an awesome system set up there. Kudos to you for being all fixed up! It’s very wise and smart of you. I think we can all learn a lot, just from your comment here.
*smiles*
Michele
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July 28th, 2008 at 4:24 am
Hi Michelle,
I have three or four email addresses. One for correspondence with my dysfunctional family, one that I use for AIM and IMimg my kids…one I’ve had for 9 years with AOL, and two gmail acocunts. Goodness, that’s way too many. Think I must consider reducing my inbox.
It’s a nightmare when you update sites and change servers…just remember…backup, backup, backup…and then…have you actually ever restored a file? I always made my clients make a backup and restore it twice just so they’d never be down and never lose any info. Keep two backups! AND ALWAYS KEEP A BACKUP ON A CD OUTSIDE OF YOUR OFFICE. You’ll sleep better at night and your geeky help with thank you!
blessings,
julia
julia ward – a BLINDING heart – a writer’s blog – http://www.ablindingheart.com
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July 28th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
About a month ago there was a fire in the building that hosts my site and my email was down for days. I was in the same situation as you, waiting on emails and panicking all the while. So I sent out my hotmail address to everyone I was waiting to hear from and let them know my problem, and just told them that if they’re ever waiting on a response from me in the future just to send an email to the hotmail address. Sure, it doesn’t look or sound as professional, but at least I’m in not sitting in the dark!
I’m glad it all worked for you in the end!
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July 28th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
I think I remember reading a post you wrote about that fire causing you e-mail troubles.
That was my problem. I felt like the editors wouldn’t take me serious and I’d read such negative things about free e-mail. I have to admit, I did notice huge difference in the editors responding to my queries/submissions once I e-mailed them with a website and domain e-mail. It did seem like they took me more serious, but you’re right… I mean, if they can’t contact us at all because of domain troubles, what good does that do us?
Glad yours worked out for you too, thanks!
*smiles*
Michele, aka: Juice Girl (hehe)
Micheles last blog post..Juice Fasting Cleanse: Do You Eat Processed Meat?
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July 28th, 2008 at 11:47 pm
@Julia – How on earth did I miss your comment? Where have you been, girl?! Been missin’ ya!!!
Yeah, I have lots of e-mail addresses, too. It’s crazy, really. Why do we do this to ourselves? hehehe
Backing up is so necessary. Without doing that, we’re up the creek without a paddle!!! Seriously!
I’m trying to do everything I can to make sure it doesn’t happen again. If I ever have another e-mail scare, at least I’ll know I did everything I could to be prepared, eh?
Hope things are going well for you!
*smiles and hugs*
Michele
Micheles last blog post..Juice Fasting Cleanse: Do You Eat Processed Meat?
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July 29th, 2008 at 1:07 am
I also have multiple email addys. It’s really saved my soy bacon a time or two! And thanks for being brave enough to share your mistake–hopefully, it will help someone before they have the same problem. Keep those great posts coming!
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July 29th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Michele,
Wow! Sounds like you had a frustrating situation for a little while there, but I sure am glad that you were able to get it all worked out successfully!
I have two free email accounts, one gmail, and one yahoo. I only ever use my gmail, for both personal and business. It really doesn’t bother me if an editor or potential client thinks I’m unprofessional because of it. If he/she is professional she will not make a rash judgement because of it, and once he/she has worked with me, she will know I am very serious about what I do.
Thank your for sharing your situation with all of us. It really is a great reminder to back up all of our work!
Have a blessed day!
Lisa
Lisas last blog post..Toadally Cool, Huh?
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July 30th, 2008 at 4:23 am
Hi Michele!
I think that gmail is the best thing ever. I use gmail for my domain email – so that might be a solution to consider in the future? I have no idea about what editors think – but using gmail gives you props in my book!!
goofy girls last blog post..A mere 3 weeks…
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July 30th, 2008 at 4:52 am
@plaidearthworm – Aren’t we hilarious for having all these e-mail addresses? hehehe Soy bacon… you’re a hoot! You’re welcome. I decided to share my ignorance in hopes of sparing others from going through the same thing – and I don’t mean that negatively about myself, just that I really was clueless and others might be too. I’m hoping it will help folks too! (And thanks for the compliment. I appreciate it!)
*smiles*
Michele
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July 30th, 2008 at 4:56 am
@Lisa – Yeah, it was pretty frustrating. But it’s all straightened out and I’m very happy with my new host.
Thanks for sharing your experience with free e-mail and how you feel about it. I agree, the editors should look at our work instead of our e-mail address.
You’re welcome. Yes, we do always need to back up everything! We can’t be forgetful about things like that, can we?
Many blessings – and smiles!
Michele
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July 30th, 2008 at 5:00 am
@goofygirl
– I’ve already started using gmail – and I know I’ll be using it for a long, long time. I actually did have a gmail account for like 2 or 3 years before this happened, but I only used it for personal e-mails. That has all changed now though and I’m feeling good about the decision. Can’t take any chances!
Aw, thanks for the compliment!
Take care…
*smiles and hugs*
Michele
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July 31st, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Thank goodness you didn’t lose everything forever!
Thanks for stopping by my blog the other day…i t was good to hear from you!!
I hope the writing world is rockn’ for you!
Sylvia C.
Sylvias last blog post..Whew. Aren’t We All Glad That’s Over
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July 31st, 2008 at 11:15 pm
Hey Michele, Just wanted to report back in to let you know that instead of downsizing my emails, I added more! LOL! I’m working on a new website and added several emails to it, in order to filter email more efficiently. BUT. The good news is that I set all of them to forward to one single address. So, that’s good consolidation, right?
Melissa Donovans last blog post..The Benefits of Journaling
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September 19th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
I don’t use them free services like Google, Hotmail, and Yahoo all rely on automated password-reset mechanisms. The problem with that is they can be abused by anyone knowing the user name associated with the account and are able to answer the security question associated with it. I’ve known several people who had their free accounts hacked.
I have several email accounts so can always follow up with my clients/customers if one isn’t working. Additionally they have numerous ways to contact me also.
Opal Tribble: Addicted to Writings last blog post..Freelance Writing: Making a change
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September 27th, 2009 at 7:54 am
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