How To Make Important E-Mails Stand Out, Using Outlook

Step 1: Tools and Rules

Once you've opened Outlook, move the cursor to the top of the screen.

In the middle, you'll see the word "Tools". Click on that.

Click on "Rules and Alerts". You may have to click on the double arrow below to see it. A box will open up.

Step 2: New Rule

A "Rule" will help you make your client stand out. Click on "New".

When the box pops up, go to "Start from a blank rule". Then, click on "Check messages when they arrive".

Then click on "Next". It'll show you this page.

Step 3: Your Conditions

This is where you tell Outlook all the things to do when you get an e-mail from your client. Here you'll see how to set up a condition. Later, you can go back and add more.

Check "from people or distribution list".

On the bottom of the page, you'll see it put the phrase in the second box. Click on it.

This page that shows your address book. Enter in your client's information in the bottom box. Click "OK".

When it takes you back to this page, click "Next".

Step 4: Action Plan

Now's when you decide all the things you want to happen when you receive an e-mail from an important client.

Make your client's e-mail automatically be classified as "high priority". To do so, click on "mark it as importance".

When it appears in the box below, click on the blue "importance".

This box will appear. Click on the arrow to the right, and select "High".

Hit "OK".

Step 5: Except For The Exceptions

This is the area where Outlook will ask you if there are any exceptions for this rule.

For instance, you can click the "except if it is an Out of Office message" option.

Step 6: Other Eye-Openers

Repeat these steps to come up with more actions that will catch your attention.

You can move it to a specified folder, to a category, flag it for follow-up, play a sound, display a special message or display a desktop alert.

Finally, keep hitting "Next" until you see the page with the "Finish" button.

When the little info box pops up, hit "OK".

When you're back to this main page, click "Apply", then "OK".