Emails can be useful for improving your marketing and productivity. We use the programme every day but do we really make the most of it?

To get yourself noticed:

• Write a subject line that will stand out – it’s more likely to be read, than binned
• Make the body of your email brief and punchy (use attachments for in-depth content)
• Include a nice-looking signature with your contact details and maybe company slogan or campaign message
• Send out a regular e-news to subscribers

To improve productivity

• Bunch or batch your emails – rather than living in your inbox, check it at certain intervals in the day (morning, noon, and late afternoon) and then process. You’re then free to focus on jobs for the day.

And remember the golden rule of not writing anything in an email that you wouldn’t want passing on. It’s just too easy for emails to get in to hands you didn’t intend!