Distribution Lists and Databases: A Primer for Freelancers

Written by Lyn Blair


Self-marketing is a freelancer’s meal ticket. Promoting yourself through e-mails is one important avenue for self-marketing. Did you know you could set up your contact base to send one e-mail to numerous prospects? Or you could send one e-mail to allrepparttar freelance partners in your business network atrepparttar 109495 same time?

Microsoft Outlook (not Outlook Express) hasrepparttar 109496 feature to do just that.

There are two Microsoft mail management systems. Microsoft Outlook is designed for business use, and Microsoft Outlook Express for personal use. MS Outlook has organizational tools like distribution lists, mail merges and more that Outlook Express doesn’t have. Therefore, we’re using MS Outlook. I recommend using MS Outlook for your freelance business.

One ofrepparttar 109497 features inrepparttar 109498 MS Outlook program is called "Contacts". According to MS Outlook 2000, "Contacts” are defined as: "The contacts folder is your e-mail address book and information storage forrepparttar 109499 people and businesses you want to communicate with. Userepparttar 109500 contacts folder to storerepparttar 109501 e-mail address, street address, multiple phone numbers, and any other information that relates torepparttar 109502 contact, such as birthday or anniversary date."

Let's assume you've created your contacts. In each individual contact you've included allrepparttar 109503 important information, such as: name, address, e-mail address, phone numbers, web page address etc.

The easiest way to access Contacts is through a contacts shortcut. Here’s how to create a contacts shortcut.

Making a Contacts Shortcut in MS Outlook

1.Onrepparttar 109504 left side ofrepparttar 109505 program, there’s a column, calledrepparttar 109506 Outlook bar. Atrepparttar 109507 top ofrepparttar 109508 column it says “Outlook Shortcuts”. Pointrepparttar 109509 cursor onrepparttar 109510 background ofrepparttar 109511 column. Right click and a pop up window will open. 2.Select Outlook Bar Shortcut. Another window will pop up offering you choices. Selectrepparttar 109512 “file card” icon with Contacts written beside it. 3.Click OK.

New Year's Netiquette Resolutions

Written by Judith Kallos


Happy New Year! New attitude? New habits? How about 10 Little New Year's Netiquette Resolutions?

Almost every New Year's resolution is based on improving attitudes and changing habits. From loosing weight to getting out of debt to trying to live a happier life, almost each of us has some sort of conversation with ourselves in regard torepparttar New Year and changes we haverepparttar 109494 control to make. If we follow through on 50% of them, we're ahead ofrepparttar 109495 pack!

So, here is your online version of New Year's Resolutions. Everyone can improve on their skills, if they are willing. I am constantly working on my grammar and writing style to ensure my points are clear and that my e-mails are received and understood in manner in which they are intended. Remember, perception isrepparttar 109496 only reality online! And, whether you agree or disagree with this topic, perceptions are made allrepparttar 109497 time which are within your control - positive and negative alike.

For whatever reason, these issues in particular, are those that I notice are not practiced on a daily basis. Make a commitment to improve onrepparttar 109498 issues below. It won't hurt; rather it will only add torepparttar 109499 positive impression you will make with those you communicate with. The perception ofrepparttar 109500 type of person you are, and whether you are a fish out of water online or not, will certainly be apparent by efforts made in these areas:

1.I will not forward a single e-mail unless it specifically applies torepparttar 109501 person I am sending to. I will include a personal note to that person so they know why I am forwarding that e-mail their way. If I must send or forwardrepparttar 109502 same e-mail to a group of contacts, I will be sure to put their e-mail addresses inrepparttar 109503 BCC: field to protect their privacy.

2.I will takerepparttar 109504 time to make sure that my sentences are complete, capitalized and includerepparttar 109505 proper punctuation. This goes a long way to making communicating with me easier and has repparttar 109506 added benefit of helping to avoid misunderstandings.

3.I will not send a large attachment of any kind, evenrepparttar 109507 ones I think are very special photos of [insert here: my grandbaby, my child, my pet, my car, my vacation...] until I ask when would be repparttar 109508 best time to send it torepparttar 109509 intended party first. This way, I do not fill their e-mail box without notice causing all their other e-mail to bounce. If I do not know how to determine an attachment's size, I'll learn how before I send it by e-mail!

4.Every e-mail I send will be courteous and include a proper greeting and closing which includes my name. My extra effort in this area, when many feel these details are not necessary, will ensure I am viewed as someone who "gets it" and is a pleasure to communicate with.

Cont'd on page 2 ==>
 
ImproveHomeLife.com © 2005
Terms of Use