Freelancers have a constant problem to solve: the need to be seen and to be taken seriously in a market that is mostly one huge crowd. Frequently, the simple act of sending an email to a potential client using a generic account like gmail.com or yahoo.com causes the client's enthusiasm to droop a bit. They want to see, at minimum, some evidence that you're a serious player making a serious play, not simply a person with a nice side gig. 

Your first impression on a client always counts, especially if it's via an email with no visual cues or non-verbal signals. Seeing "yourname@yourdomain.com" helps ease clients' worries and gets them to believe that you might actually be professional enough to hire. If you want to get a professional email address, then it is very simple. All you need to do is register a domain name and get email hosting at cost-effective rates.  Keep reading to build a freelance identity propped up by a professional email.

Create an email address for freelancers email address if you don’t have a domain name

Even if you do not have a domain name yet, you can still look polished and professional. With Neo, you can get a free .co.site domain, so you have a branded email address without spending anything extra.

Step 1: Click on the Get Started button.

Visit Neo and click on the Get Started button at the top right corner. 

Step 2: Click on the “No, I need a new domain” option.

Since you want to register for a domain name, click on No, I need a domain option. 

Step 3: Enter your desired domain name.

Select a name that reflects your freelance identity and which is self-explanatory. 

Step 4: Create your Neo account.

Provide your email and choose a secure password to streamline billing and subscriptions 

Step 5: Create your email address as a freelancer. 

After domain confirmation, access the email dashboard. Create your first address, such as maxine@joseph.co.site or maxinejoseph@newagewriter.co.site. You may add additional addresses later.

Create an email address for freelancers if you have a domain name

If you are a freelancer and already own a domain, you can integrate it with Neo. This allows you to maintain your pre-existing web presence.

Step 1: Click on Get Started.

Go to Neo and click on the button that says Get Started. The same prompt will be shown to you about the ownership of domains.

Step 2: Choose "Yes, I have a domain name I can use."

Since you already have a domain name registered, click on Yes, I have a domain I can use.

Step 3: Type in the domain name you want.

Enter your registered domain name. 

Step 4: Generate your Neo account.

Enter your name, existing email address, and set up a password to create your customer account with Neo. 

Finish signing up by providing your name, email, and a secure password. Tighten up on your security and use a password that would be difficult to guess.

Step 5: Create your freelancer email address. 

Create your email address as a freelancer, like maxinejoseph@newagewriter.com. Configure the settings of your admin account. Then, select an email hosting plan, enter the payment details (the lowest plan starts at $3.59), and start using Neo for 15 days for free. 

Change the DNS configuration so the Neo server can send and receive mail.
Access your domain registration service's control panel. Find the console for DNS management. Enter the MX records, and be prepared to wait for as much as a day for the DNS changes you've made to propagate fully.

Select an effective username for your freelance email

For freelancers, there are a range of domain names that you can register, like your surname (joseph.co.site), related to your industry (like sketchartist, devexpert, and contentwriter), or something more creative and brandable (like pixelnest.co.site or wordloom.co.site). Just make sure it's memorable, relevant, and easy to spell.

How can you make your email address sound professional? Here’s a guide that helps in selecting a suitable email address for your freelance business email account: 

1. Username that shapes first impressions

The part before the “@” in your email address is the first thing clients notice. It tells them who you are and what you do. To project the right message, choose a username that fits your freelance specialty or brand. Some examples:

• A graphic designer might use: yourname@graphicdesign.co.site
• A copywriter could pick: yourname+lastname@copywriter.co.site
• A virtual assistant may opt for: yourname+lastnameinitial@virtualassistant.co.site

Format: yourname@domainrelatedtoyourfield.co.site

2. Industry-wise email addresses 

If you have a domain name registered to your name as a freelancer, then, you use the industry or the services that you aim to provide in your email address. For example: 

• writer@maxinejoseph.co.site
• designer@mariadoe.co.site
• dev@sam.co.site
• photo@max.co.site

Format: role@yourdomain.co.site

3. Create usernames based on the business email inbox type 

You may want more than one email address for different tasks. For instance:

• proposals@yourdomain.co.site for client inquiries or project proposals
• billing@yourdomain.co.site for payments and invoices
• info@yourdomain.co.site for general information requests

Format: account-type@yourdomainname.co.site 

3. Based on your expertise 

You can showcase your area of expertise through your email address. You can specify your specialty in the email address, like: 

• frontend@alexcodes.co.site 
• ui@buildwithnina.co.site
• ux@flowdesigns.io
• content@copybykira.com
• hello@rankwithmark.com
• strategy@yourgrowthmate.com

Format: servicename@yourdomainname.co.site

Keep these points in mind:

• Ensure that your email address and domain name are self-explanatory. Like codewithalex@developer.co.site or alex@hirethedeveloper.co.site
• Avoid numbers and random characters. They can look unprofessional and make your address harder to remember or type.
• Make it as clear and simple as possible. A straightforward username helps clients feel confident when contacting you.

The Bottom Line

An email address dedicated to your freelance work will make you not just appear, but also be more professional. You won’t have to send emails with an unprofessional Gmail address anymore, and your inbox will be more organized, too, since you have different email addresses for different tasks. 

Neo makes getting email hosting and domain name registration easy. Neo’s business email plans include email marketing tools, branding tools, and even an AI-powered website builder that freelancers can use to create and launch their portfolio. So, register with Neo to learn more and get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why does a freelancer require a personalized email address?

A personalized email address sends a message of professionalism and offers an even greater opportunity to maintain the sort of consistency that most clients will appreciate. Using an email address that's part of a customized domain means the freelancer isn't depending on a generic email provider that might too easily be overlooked and too often be marked as spam.

2. Is it necessary to have technical know-how to set up email with Neo?

No. Neo's interface leads you through each step. Its simple and user-friendly workflow makes it easy for even a professional from a non-tech background to create an email address and get email hosting. 

3. Is it possible to run many services from a single domain?

Yes. You can set up many mailboxes, subdomains, and aliases, each with its own rules and forwarding settings, to handle various parts of your freelance business.

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