I am a fan of using Gmail for all of my email needs, in particular, the Google Apps version. However, there is one thing that Gmail is missing that I find essential for increasing email productivity. How do you send an email at a specific time in the future? This blog post will show you how to do that using free tools. Enjoy!
First the bad news, Gmail can not do this. I suggest that all who read this send a request to the Gmail support team to add this feature natively to Gmail.
Now for the good news, Gmail has implemented IMAP which is a feature that allows us to utilize other free email tools to send emails at a predetermined specified time.
First download and install Thunderbird, then connect to your GMail account using IMAP, then follow this guide and you are done!
Here are some ideas for using this new tool:
- Send reminders to yourself or your staff for the day, week, month or year.
- Implement a drip marketing campaign.
- Create all your happy birthday emails one year in advance.
- Send status report requests on projects that you have delegated.
- Set up a home and car maintenance schedule.
- Send inspirational pictures and quotes to yourself throughout the week.
- Pick out four pieces of information of great value to someone and send them out once a week.
There is one big downside to this method. Since Thunderbird operates on your local computer, the computer must be turned on at the time the email is to be sent.
There is a web based solution available that allows you to send predefined emails called TimeCave; however, it does not interface with GMail.
What are some of your ideas for sending emails at predefined times?
March 10 2008
Great idea. For what it’s worth, I just signed up to gootodo.com so I could get automated email reminders.
August 10 2008
An idea for sending an email at a later time—
Those times at 2AM when you have something to say but you know the recipient will not appreciate a drunken email!
just need to make sure it’s well-worded and sounds sober!
November 11 2008
Have a site that can do it for you. That can send a email like you send email with gmail. Try it:
http://www.lettermelater.com/
hugs
November 30 2008
Yeah LetterMeLater is definitely the best way to do this currently. Once you have an account, you can schedule emails by just sending them to me@lettermelater.com, it works great once you get the hang of it. The details are listed here: http://www.lettermelater.com/forum.php?id=2
March 21 2009
Hi,
Another Service you can try (see link under my name). Lets you send emails at a later time, and doesn’t require registration.
It does send you an email to verify your From address first though.
March 30 2009
What about using Google Calendar and setting up and email alert?