The Empty Trash Folder command will only compress messages for item that is in Trash Folder. In order to do same for your entire email system, you must use command Compress Folders.

The simple action of sending email to trash without compressing folders or simply emptying trash can also lead to great destabilization of your email client. So please take great care to maintain your email client software as it should be.

If there is one thing that I have learned with computers, one should always prepare for worst case scenario. Always! In order to be fully prepared for worst case scenario with your email, you should do regular backups of your mail folders.

Here I will explain how to do that outside of email client's process for this purpose. I am also explaining how to do so only for Outlook Express and Netscape Mail. I have never ran an Eudora client at times I was exploring this scenario.

FOR OUTLOOK EXPRESS USERS:

In your windows Explorer, you will find a folder, most likely with this precise name. The only difference you might see is in Application Key as noted between {}.

C:WINDOWSApplication DataIdentities {B074ABA0-9FFF-11D4-AE87-FE1E7BFD5248}MicrosoftOutlook Express

When you navigate to this folder, this is default location where your Outlook Express Email is stored. Simply highlight last folder, "Outlook Express" and copy it to another location. In most cases, this folder will be way too large to copy to a Floppy Drive. Most likely, you will need to copy it to a Zip drive or another location on your hard drive.

You can also save individual *.dbx files, which outline contents of each of your mail boxes, Inbox, Outbox, etc.

If you are really bored, you can send *.dbx file to Wordpad to view actual format of a mailbox from a text standpoint. You can use this only in a worst case scenario to attempt to rebuild a broken mail box. Always make backups of file before trying to repair it by hand --- Always!!!

FOR NETSCAPE MAIL USERS:

The location of mail storage is: C:Program FilesNetscapeUsersusernameMail

Of course, replace "username" with your username.

Within Netscape Mail system, you will discover three file types: *.sbd, *.snm, and (blank).

The *.sbd is a folder that contains all of your sub-folders. The *.snm is indexing file of your email. The (blank), ie. "Inbox" without an extension, is your actual mail messages recorded in plain text. You can also send these files to your Wordpad application to view contents. Do not save this file when you close it unless you are trying to rebuild your box, and if so, always make sure you have a backup before doing so.

If you delete *.snm, *.snm file will rebuild itself next time you open your Netscape Mail application.

Taking these precautions and knowing this information, you will never have to chance losing all of your important emails again. The time you take today to backup your email box can save you worst nightmare ever. Trust me, I have been there.

3. Timing Is Everything - Didn't think that mattered? Oh! It does! The day of week, and time of day all play a significant role in how effective your campaign is. For example: almost everyone is in a rush in morning hours. This gives a greater chance that they will delete any email they do not absolutely have to read. Take note of your target customer's typical schedule, and send your emails during their "off times".

4. Give A Deadline - One simple instruction to act before a certain date can make or break your success. Don't neglect this vital element!

5. Consider HTML - These days, most email programs are HTML compatible. In fact, over 90% of customers can receive HTML emails. Color - whether in print or on Web - always increases readability (if done tastefully). Consider having your email converted to HTML to make it stand out in sea of plain text messages.

6. Give It A Break - Rather than writing long paragraphs (even a 3 sentence paragraph formatted at 65 characters per line looks long), write in short 1 or 2 sentence blips. This is easier on eyes of reader, and doesn't take nearly as long to digest.

The competition for your customer's attention is growing greater by day. Refining your email campaign can help you avoid delete button, and reap greater profits.