Do you ever get emails that aren’t relevant to you? Or copied in on emails that have a long list of addressees that don’t need to be there? It can be so frustrating when you have a full workload and hours of your time each week are wasted on unnecessary emails.
In my book Getting A Grip On The Paper War (http://www.gettingagrip.com/products/books/paperwar.asp) I have identified four broad categories that define all those emails we receive, but don’t really want. They are:
- Deliberate spam
- The electronic version of junk mail
- Lists we did subscribe to, but now wish to be removed from.
- Unintentional duplication and intra-company clutter (colleague spam)
Deliberate spam
Even when they give you “unsubscribe” instructions, they lie. Don’t waste time fighting it – just hit delete. You can also block that particular address – just be careful that you don’t block someone you may actually want to hear from in the future!
Junk email
Someone’s got your address from somewhere, added you to their list, and you receive information about the ‘latest and best…’ This is borderline spam, and the purists would call it that, but don’t get too precious about it. Commonly it’s an over-zealous marketer. A quick hit on the reply button and ‘Please remove me from your list’ usually does the trick.
Lists we now want to unsubscribe from
A legitimate list will give you unsubscribe instructions that are either automatic or manually operated. If it’s the latter than a couple of courteous words of ‘thanks but don’t need this material now’ are appreciated by the person at the other end. Be polite – what goes around comes around!
Duplication and intra-company clutter (colleague spam)
You would be amazed at the number of people who get plonked on inappropriate company lists (or maybe you wouldn’t!).
Take a moment to reply to this kind of clutter – ask to be taken off. It’s a nuisance but is better dealt with quickly. It is important that everyone in your organisation is educated on the massive financial impact of staff wasting their time reading unnecessary emails. Do your bit by being aware of who’s on a group list before you hit Send.
