Nobody likes to receive an automatic response to their email. Your automatic response is going to be sure to annoy if it tells the recipient something they already know or could easily assume. “I have received your email”, “Thanks for your email”, “Thank you for your message”, are examples of automatic responses that should be avoided. Instead, try and insert a little humour in there. You can even appeal to the recipient’s good nature, “My inbox is very full at the moment and work is remarkably overwhelming.” Your email auto response should convey three things: That you’re sending an automatic response, why you’re sending it and what the recipient should expect as a result. Lastly, if your auto response promises a reply in a certain timeframe – make sure you stick to it!