Eliminate the Clutter in Your E-Mail

In addition to initiating fewer e-mail messages, look at other ways to reduce the messages in your Inbox:

• Publish frequently requested information on your company website and make sure that the website is quickly updated when changes occur.
• When you are sending out informational messages that do not require feedback, discourage unnecessary responses by using formal language and begin and end messages with No Reply Needed or FYI Only.
• Unsubscribe to electronic newsletters that you
  Planning for Success - Part 1
  If you're a coach, student coach, business owner or someone with a desire to get into business, take careful note of the powerful tips and development strategies presented within this series and GET READY to make the leap to ultimate success.The First Step – Marketing is the Key Many coaches and small to medium business owners believe marketing is simply advertising. This is a HUGE error. Marketing is so much more than just your advertising. Advertising is simply one method, medium or process by which to communicate your product or service offer to prospective clients. Marketing however encapsulates:Strategy; mindset; planning; capital; branding; products and services; product packaging; positioning; pricing; business location; communication; market drivers;
  Do you ever feel overwhelmed by e-mail? Have you ever spent more of your day wading through your e-mail than managing your work? Are you looking for ways to spend less time creating, managing and answering messages? Discover how to overcome e-mail overload and be more productive by writing more effective e-mail messages and reducing the volume of e-mail.

  Write Effective E-Mail Messages

  Start improving your e-mail effectiveness by creating and formatting easy to follow content, and by using pre-written responses.

  Create Clear Content

  Consider these strategies to upgrade your communications with understandable, e-mail messages:

  • Help others prioritize how to act on your e-mail by including a clear, specific subject line and repeating important subject information in the body of the message.
  • Define your expectations in the body of the message. Do you want your recipients to act, respond, read, or is the e-mail FYI only?
  • Include only one topic per message. If that isn't possible, then describe and number multiple topics as in 5 items to add to the Wednesday meeting agenda.
  • When you type the addresses for your message, check who is getting your e-mail. Many programs attempt to auto-fill an e-mail address which may not be your intended recipient.
  • Be careful with your tone and language. As with any other communication, match the message to your audience. Unless the reader understands your dry sense of humor, for instance, they may be confused or offended rather than amused.
  • It may be tempting to use acronyms in the world of the Blackberry and IM (instant messaging), but only use extremely common abbreviations, such as FYI or ASAP, unless you are absolutely certain that the individual receiving your e-mail knows what they mean.
  • Clearly identify yourself to strangers within your message and in the message signature.

  Format Readable E-Mail Messages

  Simplify the e-mail messages you send with clean, easy-to-read formatting:

  • Get to the point. Shorten paragraphs to no more than five or six lines to reduce reading.
  • Limit e-mail text to a single printed page. If you have more text, reduce the message or consider attaching a Word document. Delete previous responses that are no longer relevant to the current exchange.
  • Use fonts between 10 and 12 points in size except for headlines and choose a font style that is easy to read. Apply colors sparingly.
  • Add blank lines and white space to separate paragraphs and areas of detail.
  • Run the spelling checker and re-read messages one last time for clarity and grammar before clicking Send.

  Use Prewritten Responses

  If you send a few basic messages over and over again, such as a reply to a request for product information, consider saving those responses as signatures that can be inserted into e-mail so that you do not have to retype them. For a majority of messages, create a default signature that includes your full name, position or title, phone, website, and other contact information.

  Reduce the Volume of E-Mail

  Some of the top ways to cut the amount of e-mail you receive is to manage the number of messages that you send, reduce unnecessary follow-up replies, and determine when person-to-person communication is a better choice.

  Decrease the Number of Messages You Send

  Before you write your next e-mail, seek to actively reduce how much e-mail you send:

  • Read all replies on a topic before responding to the original message. Resist getting involved with e-mail threads that do not impact your objectives.
  • Do not send, and discourage your staff from sending, "chime-in" messages that are simply unimportant responses such as "Thank you" and "You're welcome." Do not respond to junk mail.
  • Avoid Reply to All unless all recipients need to see your response. Otherwise you are contributing to their e-mail litter.
  • Use the Cc (carbon copy) line only when the topic impacts the recipient's work. Although it may seem easier to send a message to everyone in a department or your organization, first ask yourself, "Who needs to know? Why?" Most people who get a carbon copy assume there is something they are supposed to do.
  • Use Bcc (blind carbon copy) to hide large distribution lists or to disguise the names of select recipients. All recipients can respond to a message but replies will not be received by anyone in the Bcc list which reduces the amount of e-mail they get.

  Eliminate the Clutter in Your E-Mail

  In addition to initiating fewer e-mail messages, look at other ways to reduce the messages in your Inbox:

  • Publish frequently requested information on your company website and make sure that the website is quickly updated when changes occur.
  • When you are sending out informational messages that do not require feedback, discourage unnecessary responses by using formal language and begin and end messages with No Reply Needed or FYI Only.
  • Unsubscribe to electronic newsletters that you
    Does Your Resume Have Any Personality?
    Sure, you have plenty of personality, but are you able to convey that in your resume?Take a look at your resume and read it through like a professional hiring manager would. Is it interesting? Is it boring? Would you fall asleep if you had to read your own resume at 10:00 p.m. at night (like some human resource professionals have to do)?Creating a resume that gets read from top to bottom is not easy. To do so means you have to interject active, vibrant language throughout your resume. That doesn't mean you need to use a lot of jargon or slang; quite the contrary. Flowery speech will get your resume tossed out. Words that show enthusiasm, confidence, responsibility and accomplishments are what will keep a reader glued to your resume.Let your personality show
    possible, then describe and number multiple topics as in 5 items to add to the Wednesday meeting agenda.
  • When you type the addresses for your message, check who is getting your e-mail. Many programs attempt to auto-fill an e-mail address which may not be your intended recipient.
  • Be careful with your tone and language. As with any other communication, match the message to your audience. Unless the reader understands your dry sense of humor, for instance, they may be confused or offended rather than amused.
  • It may be tempting to use acronyms in the world of the Blackberry and IM (instant messaging), but only use extremely common abbreviations, such as FYI or ASAP, unless you are absolutely certain that the individual receiving your e-mail knows what they mean.
  • Clearly identify yourself to strangers within your message and in the message signature.

  Format Readable E-Mail Messages

  Simplify the e-mail messages you send with clean, easy-to-read formatting:

  • Get to the point. Shorten paragraphs to no more than five or six lines to reduce reading.
  • Limit e-mail text to a single printed page. If you have more text, reduce the message or consider attaching a Word document. Delete previous responses that are no longer relevant to the current exchange.
  • Use fonts between 10 and 12 points in size except for headlines and choose a font style that is easy to read. Apply colors sparingly.
  • Add blank lines and white space to separate paragraphs and areas of detail.
  • Run the spelling checker and re-read messages one last time for clarity and grammar before clicking Send.

  Use Prewritten Responses

  If you send a few basic messages over and over again, such as a reply to a request for product information, consider saving those responses as signatures that can be inserted into e-mail so that you do not have to retype them. For a majority of messages, create a default signature that includes your full name, position or title, phone, website, and other contact information.

  Reduce the Volume of E-Mail

  Some of the top ways to cut the amount of e-mail you receive is to manage the number of messages that you send, reduce unnecessary follow-up replies, and determine when person-to-person communication is a better choice.

  Decrease the Number of Messages You Send

  Before you write your next e-mail, seek to actively reduce how much e-mail you send:

  • Read all replies on a topic before responding to the original message. Resist getting involved with e-mail threads that do not impact your objectives.
  • Do not send, and discourage your staff from sending, "chime-in" messages that are simply unimportant responses such as "Thank you" and "You're welcome." Do not respond to junk mail.
  • Avoid Reply to All unless all recipients need to see your response. Otherwise you are contributing to their e-mail litter.
  • Use the Cc (carbon copy) line only when the topic impacts the recipient's work. Although it may seem easier to send a message to everyone in a department or your organization, first ask yourself, "Who needs to know? Why?" Most people who get a carbon copy assume there is something they are supposed to do.
  • Use Bcc (blind carbon copy) to hide large distribution lists or to disguise the names of select recipients. All recipients can respond to a message but replies will not be received by anyone in the Bcc list which reduces the amount of e-mail they get.

  Eliminate the Clutter in Your E-Mail

  In addition to initiating fewer e-mail messages, look at other ways to reduce the messages in your Inbox:

  • Publish frequently requested information on your company website and make sure that the website is quickly updated when changes occur.
  • When you are sending out informational messages that do not require feedback, discourage unnecessary responses by using formal language and begin and end messages with No Reply Needed or FYI Only.
  • Unsubscribe to electronic newsletters that you
    IT Spending: Educate Your Clients on Smart Purchases
    Often, clients will ask you for advice on their IT spending plans. In this article, you'll learn some ideas to help your clients plan their IT spending.Suggest Your Clients Upgrade Their MachinesYour clients also could earmark the budget surpluses for upgrading and replacing PCs more regularly. Because entry-level PCs are often one-half to two-thirds less expensive than top-of-the-line models, they’ll still be way ahead of the game.Just don’t forget to factor in a few hours of configuration time for each PC upgrade (yet another value-added service your company can provide), from an older to a newer PC.IT Spending Requires an Investment MindsetAlso, whenever possible frame your client discussions in terms of "investments", as opposed to "purchases" or
    >Get to the point. Shorten paragraphs to no more than five or six lines to reduce reading.
  • Limit e-mail text to a single printed page. If you have more text, reduce the message or consider attaching a Word document. Delete previous responses that are no longer relevant to the current exchange.
  • Use fonts between 10 and 12 points in size except for headlines and choose a font style that is easy to read. Apply colors sparingly.
  • Add blank lines and white space to separate paragraphs and areas of detail.
  • Run the spelling checker and re-read messages one last time for clarity and grammar before clicking Send.

  Use Prewritten Responses

  If you send a few basic messages over and over again, such as a reply to a request for product information, consider saving those responses as signatures that can be inserted into e-mail so that you do not have to retype them. For a majority of messages, create a default signature that includes your full name, position or title, phone, website, and other contact information.

  Reduce the Volume of E-Mail

  Some of the top ways to cut the amount of e-mail you receive is to manage the number of messages that you send, reduce unnecessary follow-up replies, and determine when person-to-person communication is a better choice.

  Decrease the Number of Messages You Send

  Before you write your next e-mail, seek to actively reduce how much e-mail you send:

  • Read all replies on a topic before responding to the original message. Resist getting involved with e-mail threads that do not impact your objectives.
  • Do not send, and discourage your staff from sending, "chime-in" messages that are simply unimportant responses such as "Thank you" and "You're welcome." Do not respond to junk mail.
  • Avoid Reply to All unless all recipients need to see your response. Otherwise you are contributing to their e-mail litter.
  • Use the Cc (carbon copy) line only when the topic impacts the recipient's work. Although it may seem easier to send a message to everyone in a department or your organization, first ask yourself, "Who needs to know? Why?" Most people who get a carbon copy assume there is something they are supposed to do.
  • Use Bcc (blind carbon copy) to hide large distribution lists or to disguise the names of select recipients. All recipients can respond to a message but replies will not be received by anyone in the Bcc list which reduces the amount of e-mail they get.

  Eliminate the Clutter in Your E-Mail

  In addition to initiating fewer e-mail messages, look at other ways to reduce the messages in your Inbox:

  • Publish frequently requested information on your company website and make sure that the website is quickly updated when changes occur.
  • When you are sending out informational messages that do not require feedback, discourage unnecessary responses by using formal language and begin and end messages with No Reply Needed or FYI Only.
  • Unsubscribe to electronic newsletters that you
    Ensuring Success Through Market Research
    Finding business ideas is easy enough. There are endless possibilities that range from products to services which are in need of improvement or modifications. Producing new, improved products or services than those existing is an advantage over the competition. However, prospective entrepreneurs often forget an essential component of their future businesses. They neglect checking if their ideas are feasible to attract a large and sustainable market by conducting marketing research. As a result, promising businesses often crash due to the entrepreneurs' lack of business panache.Marketing research for start-up companies and businesses are usually done in two ways: primary research and secondary research. Primary research entails the use of first-hand data in determining the exist
    e, and other contact information.

    Reduce the Volume of E-Mail

    Some of the top ways to cut the amount of e-mail you receive is to manage the number of messages that you send, reduce unnecessary follow-up replies, and determine when person-to-person communication is a better choice.

    Decrease the Number of Messages You Send

    Before you write your next e-mail, seek to actively reduce how much e-mail you send:

    • Read all replies on a topic before responding to the original message. Resist getting involved with e-mail threads that do not impact your objectives.
    • Do not send, and discourage your staff from sending, "chime-in" messages that are simply unimportant responses such as "Thank you" and "You're welcome." Do not respond to junk mail.
    • Avoid Reply to All unless all recipients need to see your response. Otherwise you are contributing to their e-mail litter.
    • Use the Cc (carbon copy) line only when the topic impacts the recipient's work. Although it may seem easier to send a message to everyone in a department or your organization, first ask yourself, "Who needs to know? Why?" Most people who get a carbon copy assume there is something they are supposed to do.
    • Use Bcc (blind carbon copy) to hide large distribution lists or to disguise the names of select recipients. All recipients can respond to a message but replies will not be received by anyone in the Bcc list which reduces the amount of e-mail they get.

    Eliminate the Clutter in Your E-Mail

    In addition to initiating fewer e-mail messages, look at other ways to reduce the messages in your Inbox:

    • Publish frequently requested information on your company website and make sure that the website is quickly updated when changes occur.
    • When you are sending out informational messages that do not require feedback, discourage unnecessary responses by using formal language and begin and end messages with No Reply Needed or FYI Only.
    • Unsubscribe to electronic newsletters that you
      Using Open Houses to Spur Loan Officer Marketing
      Last year, we were beginning to think open houses were becoming extinct. But as the market slowed down, more and more real estate agents had to go back to the drawing board to reach new buyers. The old open house is returning with a vengeance, which can represent a great opportunity for loan officer marketing.How do open houses become opportunities for you? Simple, an open house represents a captive audience. The agent is stuck minding the property, away from their home base of operations. They have time on their hands and are generally friendly and open to diversion.So, what can you hope to accomplish at an open house? Simple, plant the seeds to begin cultivating a relationship. Through loan officer marketing at open houses, your goal is to devel
      to send a message to everyone in a department or your organization, first ask yourself, "Who needs to know? Why?" Most people who get a carbon copy assume there is something they are supposed to do.
    • Use Bcc (blind carbon copy) to hide large distribution lists or to disguise the names of select recipients. All recipients can respond to a message but replies will not be received by anyone in the Bcc list which reduces the amount of e-mail they get.

    Eliminate the Clutter in Your E-Mail

    In addition to initiating fewer e-mail messages, look at other ways to reduce the messages in your Inbox:

    • Publish frequently requested information on your company website and make sure that the website is quickly updated when changes occur.
    • When you are sending out informational messages that do not require feedback, discourage unnecessary responses by using formal language and begin and end messages with No Reply Needed or FYI Only.
    • Unsubscribe to electronic newsletters that you do not read and move others out of your Inbox to folders for reading during travel or other down times. Do not unsubscribe to mailings that you never initiated or you may further open the flow of junk mail.
    • If it's an available option, setup an out of office message that responds to incoming messages when you are not available to answer your e-mail. Clearly state your response time, when you will return, and who can be contacted during your absence.

    Choose Voice Instead of E-Mail

    There are often times when phone or face-to-face conversations are a superior choice to e-mail. Pick up the phone or arrange a meeting when:

    • Building rapport is critical.
    • The topic is emotionally charged.
    • There are many intertwined issues to resolve or there is a need for lengthy interactive discussions.

    Implementing these strategies for overcoming e-mail overload can help you become more productive and free you from your Inbox.