*Brand your email to match your business name. For example, johndoe@mybusiness.com.
*Look into purchasing a domain for your Web site that comes with a set number o email accounts.
*Check if your local ISP (internet service provider) provides email hosting.
*Read this quick reference to learn POP (Post Office Protocol) basics.
*Download email into Microsoft Outlook.

1. Pick business owners (not your accountant or attorney)
I found the most valuable advisers were other business owners who had accomplished what I was attempting to do. I still paid for the services of an accountant and attorney when I needed technical advice, but keeping these professionals out of my advisory board meetings allowed my meetings to focus on strategic advice on company building.
2. Shut up and listen
I sent my advisory board a one-page summary of the key questions I was grappling with before the meeting. That way, my advisers were “scrubbed in” beforehand, and I could spend the bulk of my time listening to their advice.

3. Report your action steps within 48 hours
Within 48 hours of a meeting, I used to send a quick email to my advisers explaining which of their ideas I planned to implement immediately and which I intended to table for another time. I wanted them to know they were having an immediate and measurable impact.

Email in business is an important communication tool and using a business email address is far better than using your personal email address. Email for business should be kept separate from your personal email, eg yahoo or hotmail, as it gives you far more choice. You can get a business email address even if you’re not ready to have a website just yet. Here’s how to set up and use your business email address in 3 easy steps:

Step 1 – choose your domain name
Visit the Startup Store to find and register your domain name. Ideally your business name and domain name should be the same. Try and pick a name that is:

* easy to remember
* not hyphenated
* doesn’t use an unusual spelling

Avoid names that are:
* trademarked by another business
* misleading in any way

Domain names are allocated on a first come, first served basis and are usually registered for anywhere between 1 and 5 years. Make sure you renew your domain name before it expires: make a note of the renewal date rather than relying on a reminder from the company you registered it with.

Step 2 – find an email-only hosting package
The Startup Store provides an email only hosting service which is ideal for small business email requirements. You get up to 5 email addresses for only £4 per month. There’s no need to pay for website hosting if you haven’t got a website, just choose a supplier who provides email only hosting services.

Step 3 – start sending and receiving your emails
Most service providers offer a fully functional web mail service which you can log on to using any internet enabled PC or mobile device to send and receive your business emails. Alternatively you can set up your email software on your laptop PC or mobile phone to send and receive your emails.

Setting up an email signature
You should, by law, provide business and contact details on all your emails. The easiest way to do this is to set up a standard email signature which is automatically added to the bottom of all your emails. If you employ staff make sure they are all using similar email signatures too.