Hey, it’s Annie,
In today’s issue we’ll cover:
Table of Contents
In today’s world, having over 1,000 unread emails feels almost normal, but it doesn’t have to be that way. With a few smart strategies, you can go from a chaotic inbox to an organized one.
Create a Game Plan
The quickest way to a tidy inbox is creating a clear plan and implementing simple organizational systems.
These don’t have to be complex; colored labels alone can make an impact. Use clear, consistent names for each label and stick to them. These will be your stepping stones to an organized inbox.
Some helpful label ideas:
One for each active project
“Invoice – Due” and “Invoice – Paid”
“Promotions – Learning” for emails about upskilling opportunities
When you know exactly where each message belongs, it’s easier to keep things neat.
Use Reminders and Tasks
Not every email needs attention right away, but you also don’t want it to vanish into the abyss. That’s where reminders and tasks come in handy.
Example: You get an email from your website host reminding you that your annual bill is due next month.
Not a priority? Set a reminder for your next admin day, and that email will pop back to the top when it matters most.
The tasks bar is a great way to create little memos and to mark what needs to be actioned.
If you work with a team, it’s also a great way to communicate and flag important emails, follow up actions, or flag if more information is needed.
Streamline with Templates and Automations
If you often find yourself typing the same responses or following up with slow-to-reply leads, templates, and automations are game-changers.
A simple, “Got your message. Here’s our typical response time” auto-reply can:
Reassure senders that their email went through
Set expectations for when you’ll reply
Save you time typing individual confirmations
This not only saves you energy, but it also elevates your customer service. Trust me, people appreciate a quick note over silence, and it gives you breathing room for priority emails.
User Filters to Delete Old Messages
Filters are a quick, powerful way to delete hundreds of emails at once without endless scrolling.
Side-by-side guide showing step-by-step instructions for using filters in Gmail and Outlook to quickly find and delete old emails, helping you keep your inbox clean and organized.
A Clean Inbox is a Clear Mind
By implementing just a few of these tips, you can start reclaiming your inbox and your time. Even 20 minutes spent setting up labels, templates, and reminders can save you hours of future email stress.
If this feels like too much work, remember, cleaning inboxes is my cardio. Let a virtual assistant handle it while you handle the fun stuff.
Ways I Can Help:
📝 One-Off Copy Edit & Audit: Need a second opinion on your content? I'll review your blog post or website page and send you a detailed breakdown of what's working and specific recommendations to improve it.
☕ Discovery Call: Thinking bigger picture? Let's jump on a call and explore how we can work together on your content strategy.
Before you go:
If you have requests for what business streamlining tips you want to see next, reply to this email and let me know!
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Cheers,
Annie
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