Yesterday, William Johnson, wrote a post titled, You've Got Mail.  The post was about using Microsoft Outlook. I responded to his post, because I love OUTLOOK. I have been using it for about 7 years as my main contact manager.

I asked William to consider starting a group on Activerain for people wanting to share ideas and learn Outlook tricks. So he thought it was a great idea and he started the Outlook User Group. If you use Outlook, or in many cases tried to use Outlook and want more tips and interaction please join us.

Most of you have heard of Outlook Express, it comes on your computer with Internet Explorer. Microsoft Outlook is NOT Outlook Express, it is a full comprehensive program that is a way to manage your email, listings, sales, contacts, tasks, calendar and journal all in one spot.

Last March, when I attended the RE/MAX International Convention in Atlanta, I went a day early to take Pat Zaby's class, which is CRS approved on Microsoft Outlook. I have been following Pat Zaby for years with his newsletters. He is an Outlook Pro. He always has great tips that I try to implement.

One of the main uses, that I found most helpful about Outlook, is the way you can categorize your contacts. There is a Master Category List and then you can add to that list. When I got home from the RE/MAX Convention, where I met hundreds of Realtors from all over the world, I entered their cards into Outlook. I started a new category called RE/MAX agents around the world. If I ever want to contact them, all I do is a Search by Category and up they all come together. One email to hundreds of people with one click, one letter etc.

I also have a Category of Past Clients, boom Search Past Clients and there they all are, once again, one email, one click, done.

Folders: William spoke in his post about using folders for everything, and I do. I set up a folder for each buyer and seller by their names. ANY correspondence I receive from them, I drag it into their folder. When the transaction is closed I drag it up to my Past Clients folder. If I get a call a few years later to list their home, all the information is there. No more digging in the basement for banker boxes full of transactions closed in previous years.

There is so much to learn, and as much as I love it, I am looking forward to learning more from you all who use OUTLOOK in this new group. I know I have not even scratched the surface of what this powerful program has to offer. Once again click here to join the OUTLOOK users group.