How to Save Time With Email

For many people who work or play on the Internet, email takes up the bulk of our time, especially wading through spam and organizing what's important from what's not. Additionally, many of the Web based email programs like GMail and Yahoo take longer to use than a free email program like Microsoft Outlook Express. One or more of the following tips can save you time regardless of what email service you use.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Free email accounts
• Email program (e.g., Outlook Express)

How to Save Time Using Email

1. Create or use one email account for priority personal email. Also, create an email account for business use. Optionally add another account for website registrations and places where you may encounter spam. This option is especially useful if you do not plan to use a separate email program that sorts your Web based email.
2. Basic steps to setup POP3 email Install a free email program such as Microsoft Outlook Express and set it up to import email from various web-based providers. Most leading email sites will provide the instructions you need to do so, otherwise known as POP3 and SMTP.
3. How to Create Message Rules Create rules for your messages in Outlook Express so that incoming messages are sorted. First, create the desired folders to organize your email. Then, create the sort rules based on the sender's email, subject line or most any criteria you choose. The rest of the email will collect in one area or your main inbox folder.
4. Sort your email by sender or subject line to save time with email by allowing you to scan or delete multiple items quickly.
5. Install a spam filter or set your spam filter to high if you are receiving too much junk mail. Just be sure to check your bulk mail folder occasionally for items that may be mistakenly removed. When this occurs, you can add the sender's email to a "whitelist," which will keep the mail in your inbox.
6. Unsubscribe to any mailing list you did not subscribe to. If it is a one-time mail, it's best to ignore it as some unethical sites use this method to confirm your email address to send even more spam. But most sites do adhere to the removal process as is required by law in some countries.

Tips & Warnings

• By switching to an email reader program, you also save time by not having to wait for web pages to load.