I almost lost a huge client because I didn't check my email signature

I was in a video call with the whole team from a firm in Denver, pitching for a project worth about $50k. Right as I shared my screen, my old job title and a personal phone number from two years ago popped up in my email signature block. The lead client paused and asked if I was still with that other company. I had to stop the whole pitch, explain the mistake, and send a corrected contact sheet. Has anyone else had a simple oversight like this blow up in a big meeting?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_abby3mo ago

Sent a quote with my ex's name still on the company header once. That was a fun phone call to explain.

nathanbailey3mo ago

Oof, that "old job title" thing is brutal because it plants a seed of doubt about your whole operation. It's not just a typo, it makes you look disorganized or, worse, like you're not really who you say you are. The real cost isn't the awkward pause, it's the client quietly wondering what else you haven't updated or checked. That's way harder to fix than just sending a new contact sheet. I double-check my sig on every single new thread now because of a scare like that.

abbyl491mo ago

Ugh YES. "Undermines the whole operation" is exactly what I mean. You hit it. I had this screw up once where I sent a proposal and the old company name from like three years ago was still in the footer. Client called me out and was like "wait, who am I even talking to?" It was so awkward. And the worst part is, even after you fix it, that little doubt is just sitting there in their head. Now I literally run through every single attachment with a highlighter before I send anything. Not even kidding. Better to look a little obsessive than have them think you're running some fly by night thing.