I get a lot of email, and I get a lot of spam (a couple of my accounts collect thousands a month). Very few of them get through to my primary account — perhaps a dozen a day. Gmail’s filters are exceptional.

Plenty other trash does get through, however. Because my time is more valuable to me than some of my correspondents’ seems to be to them, I have a few little tests that control how I handle my mail. You might consider them for your own use, and if you’re one of the folks who emails me, it might explain why you get fewer responses than you expect.

Subject line: If it contains Fw: Fw: Fw:, this is funny, LMAO, So True, Hi, or other non-specific stuff — forget it. It goes straight to the trash. In fact, I have filters set up to get that stuff; I never even see it. If you want me to read what you send, use the subject line. That’s what it’s for. It’s your one chance to get my attention. If you can’t be bothered to inform me what’s in the email, it’s not important enough for me to read.  …MORE…

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