Stop Having Your Email Manage You!

STOP HAVING YOUR EMAIL MANAGE YOU & START MANAGING YOUR EMAIL!
 
No wonder many of us are overwhelmed with email.  100 Billion emails are sent and received in the United States.
 
You know your email is managing you when…
 

• You are constantly checking your email.
• Your goal is to get to Inbox Zero by moving them into folders.
• Dread opening your email.
• You have more then 200 emails in your inbox right now.
• You are missing valuable information.
• You have more email addresses then you can count!
• You need a detox from your email inbox.

 
Email management is not just about moving emails to a folder to read it later for the goal of achieving Inbox Zero!  It is about creating a system that allows you to communicate effectively with your clients.
 
Managing your email will also help you to be more organized and have less stress.  And if you are organized enough it will help with follow up and possibility getting the sale.
 
Let’s get into 12 simple tips on how to start managing your email.
 

1. You need to come up with a strategy that you can implement and will work with your lifestyle business. You can google and research all the tips you want but if you can’t incorporate them into a schedule that works for you then it’s not going to work period.
2. Find specific times during the day when you can check and work on your inbox.  Actually, let it be part of your schedule and hold yourself accountable.
3. Turn off email alerts.  If you are someone who looks at your computer or phone each time you have an alert, it’s time for you to take the control back.
4. Train your clients when you will answer emails.  Each one of my clients knows that if you have something pressing then you need to text me.  I even have that part of my voicemail.  So, if you are someone who only answers email after lunch at 1:30 let them know that.
5. Apply the 2-minute rule.  If you can read it and reply within 2 minutes, then do it.  If it will take you longer then add a time onto your schedule when you will take care of emails.
6. Create a filing system to add your emails into folders.  Read, To Do or Action, Follow Up, or have specific folders for emails you need to save, i.e., insurance, bills, marketing, etc. One of the things I do with potential clients (the ones that haven’t committed) I add them to my follow up folder.  I then schedule it as part of my monthly schedule to check the follow up and see who I need to follow up with.
7. Consider consolidating all your emails into one email inbox like Outlook.
8. Outlook has some cool features such as task list – that will set up reminders and rules that will drop common responses to emails.
9. If you have emails that are over 3 months old, then decide what to do with them.  Basically, will be a few choices, take action, file it or delete it.
10. Unsubscribe.  Take the time and unsubscribe to the emails that no longer fit or serve you purpose.  Use Unroll.me to help you do that with a click of a button.
11. If you email to people consistently as your choice of communication, then use the EOM – end of message in your email headline (reminder meeting tomorrow at 5 pm eom)  This eliminates opening another email to read a simple line.
12. Don’t waste your email signature.  Use links to market and promote upcoming events, specials, etc.

I hope these tips will help you to take control of your email!  Do you have a tip I missed?  I love to know what that is.  Please add your comments below.