Mail merge

It can sometimes be tricky to get your mail merge right. The process now is actually very simple - in your word document click on the tools menu, got to letters and mailings, then click on mail merge. This takes you to a wizard which gives you a step-by-step guide. It's easy to use and you can go back at any stage. The key with mail merge is to ensure that your excel spreadsheet is as up-to-date as possible. Naming your field headings when you set up the spreadsheet will save you time and make the whole process easier.

Backing up

There are two ways to back up - manual and online. If you do it manually then it's a good idea to do it every day and to keep a log of when you have done it. There are also a number of online back up facilities - www.datasafehaven.co.uk is a useful site to look at. It provides automatic online backing up on a daily basis for a reasonable fee - costs depend on storage capacity requirements.

Exporting Excel to Outlook

If you want to export an Excel spreadsheet to Outlook (to transfer your contacts across as part of your email management strategy) then the easiest way to do it is by going into Outlook, clicking on file, then onto import and export and then click onto import from another program or file. This takes you to a very handy wizard which gives you step-by-step guide through the process.

Online banking

If you don't yet use online banking then it might be worth considering. It's a great way to check if you have been paid by clients and saves a great deal of time - enabling you to stay right on top of your finances with an accurate picture of money coming in and going out.

When networking resist the urge to talk about your business and how good you are. Instead talk about your clients and the situation they faced before they became a client. Focus on the drama of their situation. You are more likely to get people to think 'That's just like me!' instead of thinking that you are a pushy sales person.