Do you ever get tired or over-saturated with email newsletters – even the ones you actually want to read (and especially those email newsletters that you DIDN’T sign up for)?

Me too… SO:

Recently I decided to clear my primary email addresses of any and ALL newsletters, marketing updates, etc.  Those inboxes are now only for personal correspondence from real people. BUT I still want to get helpful information and updates so I discovered a simple way to do just that.  Hopefully this will help you too…

Clearing The Way To A Clean Inbox

Set up a gmail account with a username like (your name here)[email protected]. Use that for all your newsletter registrations, services you have (internet, phone, etc) and for any special offers you get from shopping, updates from membership sites and anything else that you don’t deem important enough to HAVE to read the second it comes in. Log in to that account once a day or once a week.  Then watch your inbox clear up and enjoy the ride…

Knowing (Who To Avoid) Is Half The Battle

You’ll get another benefit from this.  Once in place, since all your newsletters only go to your special gmail account you’ll know: Who “That Guy” is after you meet him at a networking event.  You know, the one that thinks everyone that gives him a business card MUST want to be added (unsolicited) to his company’s mailing list.  (Personally: I’m keeping an Outlook folder where I save these messages under what NOT to do).  You’ll immediately recognize That Guy’s email because it will be sent to the wrong email address – your personal/professional inbox – and not your newsletter gmail account.  Delete “That Guy’s” email (if you’re not interested) and permanently unsubscribe from his company’s mailing list.  Who needs more spam?

The Right People Know What To Do

I recently met Nan, who I’m speaking with at an upcoming event in Chicago.  After meeting me in person and talking on Twitter she sent the following email:

“Carter:

Do you mind if I add you to my mail distribution list?  I am not an abuser I promise!

Let me know.

Hope all is well.

Nan”

My response: YES she can add me to her mailing list!  And I’ll actually be reading her updates now.  The people that “get it” will reach out to you the right way.  The ones that don’t… Well…

How do YOU avoid annoying emails and the people that send them?

Have any fun stories?