Email is an extremely useful communication tool in business. It empowers entrepreneurs to run their businesses from just about anywhere. But when used inappropriately, email can hinder productivity. Here are four strategies to better manage your email and keep the messages in your inbox to a minimum.Related: 7 Ways to Detox Your Inbox
Set aside time to read and respond to email
The amount of time required for reviewing email and replying will depend on how frequently you check messages and how many you typically receive.
- Some entrepreneurs find it more effective to dedicate 10 minutes every hour to email than to check just 2-3 times a day.
Unsubscribe from unwanted promotional emails
Search your inbox for the term “unsubscribe.”
Take action immediately
Don’t let important emails sit in your inbox for days. Reply to the sender as soon as you’ve read their message.
- If you’re unable to respond immediately, respond within 48 hours and set a deadline and follow up to ensure that you receive the message promptly.
Organize your inbox with labels, folders, and categories
Prioritize, group, sort, and file messages to keep your inbox organized
- The better your filing system, the easier it will be to locate specific emails when you need them
- Before you file a message, ensure the subject line is search-friendly
