Question: What's your favorite tool for making email more manageable?
Self-Control
"I make it a point not to look at email all of the time. I give it focused time and attention at specific times during the week so I can get through email in a thoughtful way. Of course, I glance at it a few times during the day to make sure I'm not missing anything urgent. But, I've tamed the urge to be constantly checking and responding to email."
@jenbenz
Specific Departments Filters
"I found email to be far more manageable once I created relevant, specific departments in my business for email to flow through. If all of your email is picked up through one central channel, it clogs up the system and delays response times internally and externally, which results in a stressful environment for all involved. This approach also helps to define specific roles for your staff."
@upgradedpoints
Sanebox
"On an average day I can get over 200 emails that I have to respond to. Sanebox has absolutely made my life easier and helped filter out the important and urgent emails versus the ones that can be delayed a little while longer."
@seanogle
Inbox Pause
"We live within email; we have accounts across the NBA, MLB and other leagues, as well as in big corporations, and we need to be responsive in email. I often find myself managing my day by my inbox: if an email pops up, I try to answer it. Inbox Pause is a Gmail plug-in that halts new email from entering your inbox. With email "paused" I'm able to focus on the most important work."
@MosesOfWatches
HelpScout
"HelpScout is a great tool for organizing your emails. You can add notes, see previous emails from the same person, create different workflows, have canned responses and so much more. I highly recommend it!"
@syedbalkhi
Amy: My Artificial Intelligence
"Because of Amy I have eliminated all correspondence having to do with organizing from my inbox! Amy, my dynamic and funny assistant, coordinates client visits, schedules coffee and plans conference calls. After copying Amy into an email she takes charge of the planning, taking me off copy for all the back and forth. Her intelligence has learned my habits, favorite meeting spots and travel habits."
@kimkaupe
Other Communication Systems
"My company refers to itself as a "no email company." Now, that's not entirely true, but between using Basecamp for project management with clients and Slack for all internal communications, the only use for email is to field outside inquiries. This keeps us from getting log-jammed in our inboxes and keeps communication clear and organized day to day."
@mattchevy
Droptask
"It started to get difficult to manage our conversations as well as having to go back and find specific emails, attachments, or other pertinent information. So we began to use DropTask, which allowed us to add duties and objectives while still allowing the basic functions of email. The software allows us to send notifications, chat and also attach files just like an email platform would."
@karora007
A Personal Email Policy
"This is advice I took from The 4 Hour Work Week book by Tim Ferriss. Set a policy using limited auto-responders to share that you will only check emails twice a day (11 a.m. and 4 p.m.) for increased productivity and to call for anything that requires immediate attention. This approach helps to eliminate instant responses and enables the sender to seek out solutions on their own, thus reducing your emails."
@collabz
