The holidays are stressful enough without technology making things harder.
Clients are juggling year-end deadlines, employees are balancing family schedules, and everyone’s patience is running low.
That’s why a little tech etiquette goes a long way this time of year — especially for healthcare, financial, and legal practices across Carmel and the Greater Indianapolis area, where clients rely on fast, accurate communication.
Think of this as your “Holiday Tech Manners Guide.” Because the season’s already full of surprises — your business shouldn’t be one of them.
1️⃣ Update Your Online Hours Before Confusion Strikes
We’ve all been there: someone checks your hours on Google, drives over between appointments — and finds a locked door. Instant frustration.
Avoid it by updating everywhere your hours appear:
- Google Business Profile (this one’s crucial)
- Facebook, Instagram, and Yelp
- Your website header or banner
- Apple Maps and Bing listings (yes, people still use them)
Example:
“Happy Holidays! Our office will be closed from Dec. 24–26 to celebrate with family. We’ll reopen Monday morning, recharged and ready to serve you.”
A 60-second update saves a dozen phone calls and a handful of bad moods.
2️⃣ Set Out-of-Office Replies That Sound Human
If you’re taking time off, don’t leave clients wondering whether their email vanished into a holiday black hole.
A good auto-reply is polite, clear, and sounds like it came from a real person — not a robot.
Example:
“Thanks for reaching out! Our team is out of the office from Dec. 24–26. We’ll respond as soon as we’re back and caffeinated.
If this is urgent, please call (317) 555-1234. Wishing you a safe and joyful holiday!”
Professional doesn’t have to mean cold. A touch of warmth goes a long way.
3️⃣ Keep It Simple (No Oversharing, Please)
Your clients don’t need your full itinerary.
“Out of office for the holidays” is plenty.
Too much detail — like “visiting my in-laws in Denver” or “Cancún with the kids” — isn’t just TMI, it’s a security risk.
It can tip off bad actors that your office is empty or your systems aren’t being watched.
Stick to dates, response times, and backup contacts. Save the travel stories for your team chat.
4️⃣ Test Your Phone and Voicemail Systems
Holiday callers are often on the go — and already stressed. Don’t make them work harder to reach you.
Before you close up shop, call your own number.
Check that your greeting, menu options, and after-hours message are all correct.
Example voicemail:
“You’ve reached [Your Firm Name]. Our office is currently closed for the holiday weekend.
Please leave a message, and we’ll return your call Monday morning.
If this is urgent, press 1 to reach our on-call team. Happy Holidays!”
It’s a small thing, but it’s one of the first impressions you make.
5️⃣ Communicate Deadlines and Response Times
If your practice handles client deliverables, payments, or time-sensitive documents (like EHR updates, tax filings, or legal forms), set expectations early.
- Post holiday processing deadlines on your website and email signatures.
- Remind clients of cutoff dates for submissions, sign-offs, or payments.
- Add an FAQ or pop-up on your site for common seasonal questions.
Missed expectations are far worse than missed emails — they cost trust.
🎁 The Bottom Line: Tech Etiquette = Client Care
Good technology etiquette isn’t about being fancy — it’s about being thoughtful.
Updating hours, testing voicemails, and setting clear expectations show clients you respect their time and trust.
Because the goal isn’t just to avoid problems — it’s to make your clients feel taken care of, even when you’re away.
If you want to make sure your systems, phones, and online presence are polished before the holiday rush, let’s talk.
👉 Schedule your free holiday technology review — and we’ll help your business stay connected, secure, and stress-free while you enjoy your time off.
