The out-of-office email. We all have to write them, and you probably have a stock, generic message you use every time you need it.

At their essence, these emails are transactional ones. They’re automatic emails triggered by an action taken by another individual. And while a basic, stock message will suffice… why not have some fun with it and potentially stand out from the crowd?

Here are some refreshingly fun, unexpected ideas to inspire a quirky out-of-office reply. Use them at your own risk, or maybe just thinkabout using them!

Make it poetic

Poetry and rhymes are more prone to stick in your head than plain, normal text, so why not get a bit poetic in your next out of office email? Slate editor Dan Kois did so, and was featured in the New York Times because of it! Not exactly talented when it comes to rhymes? Make it a haiku.

I’m out ‘til Monday.

This haiku will have to do.

Just get over it.

Be brutally honest

How often do you return from a vacation to an overflowing inbox and just… well… don’t want to deal with it? If honesty is the best policy, this email is a winner. Or it might alienate you from your friends and colleagues. Who knows?

I’m out until Monday. Your email will be deleted – I mean read – in the order it was received. Ah who am I kidding, we both know I’ll never get to it. Just email me again on Monday.

Multiple choice existentialism

Does anyone really care why you’re away? Probably not. If anything, they’ll resent you for taking time off while they’re toiling away. So, why not let them choose why you’re gone? Think of it as a bit like “two truths and a lie.”

Sorry I missed your message, I’ll be out until Tuesday. What am I doing, you ask? Well, it’s one of the following.

1. I’m on vacation and contemplating never coming back.
2. I won the lottery and really am never coming back.
3. I’ve got a medical emergency and may not be able to come back (that got heavy).
4. None of the above.

We both know it doesn’t really matter why I’m out, does it? Does any of it really matter? Don’t get lost in a sad existential contemplation! I’ll be back, I promise. (Probably.)

Challenge accepted

One of the nice things about going on vacation is avoiding email – if you can! So make it clear to your respondents that you won’t be checking email and they can’t get in touch with you… unless…

I’m out of the office until Monday and will not be checking email at that time. I’ll get back to you when I return. I have a cell phone, but won’t be giving it out. If you guess it correctly, though… I’ll make time for you.

Tweet if you dare

Like we said earlier, no one likes interrupting their vacation to respond to emails, but sometimes, it’s truly unavoidable. Make your disdain for it known with this honest email.

I’m away until Monday with limited access to email, and will respond to you as soon as I am able upon my return. If it’s urgent, feel free to tweet me using the hashtag #ruiningmyvacation and I’ll get back to you right away.

These out of office replies should get a laugh from your leads and contacts, making you ready to re-connect upon your return. For some real-life sales tips you’ll want to use, visit Intelliconnection.