How To Manage Your E-mail

Here are some useful basic tactics to add to add to your e-mail strategy so you can manage your inbox and come out  productive.

•  ZERO YOUR INBOX.

An empty inbox should be one of your daily goals. Delete everything .

• USE FOLDERS.

E-mail folders(CALLED LABELS IN G-MAIL) can be useful for organizing old messages that you want to keep for reference. but don't create more folders than you can handle. for instance i use an invoice folder which holds invoices that require attention, i review them once a week and remove any messages that are no longer relevant.

• USE FILTERS.

Set up filters to spot keywords or to gather messages from a specific group and move them to a trusted folder. Filters are also good for gathering messages about important projects, so they don't clog the inbox.

• DELETE FIRST READ LATER.

Most e-mail you get is probably worthless especially if you've permitted online retailer to add you to their mailing list. Delete the obviously worthless items first.

• DEAL WITH E-MAIL.

When you open an e-mail message take action  immediately. If you don't need it delete it. if its worth keeping save it. if you need to track the item to enure that it get done put it in a folder labeled "WAITING FOR" o that you can follow up on it at the end of the day.

• SLOW DOWN.

If you use a web-based client like G-mail, keep the e-mail tab in your browser closed except when you think it's time to check it.

• USE PLANNED RESPONSES.

In dealing with messages about recurring topics ave time by using boilerplate responses that contain details such as directions to your office, statements of policy and information about important products. GOOGLE LABS canned responses plug-in adds to the g-mail interface a drop-down menu of text entries to toss into a message.
if you practice these tactics diligently you'll be the master of your inbox.