Microsoft Outlook Hack: This is a fun way to get you inspired if you run an online store

Ok, I decided last week that i needed a little inspiration to work on getting more orders from my online store so i set up this fun little hack.

Every time someone places an order on my website, i get an email. I decided to set up Outlook so that every time i get the order email, Outlook would not only put the email into a “orders” folder that i created but it would also make a sound- the sound of an old fashioned cash register- !$!KA-CHING!$! (hear it here- http://www.wavsource.com/snds_2007-10-19_30325516338194/sfx/cash_register2.wav .

Here’s how to set it up:

First, if you don’t have a separate folder for your online orders, you probably should. Right click on the “inbox” icon and select “new folder”. Name it whatever you would like. I chose to set it as “1online orders” so that it would appear at the top of my folder list.

Now, go to this online site and choose the sound file that you like best. I chose “cash register” as it represents the sound of my company being profitable and me being able to work for myself full-time YAY!.

Here is a good site for free .wav files. http://www.wavsource.com/sfx/sfx.htm You will need to download the .wav file of your choice (and remember where you saved it- “my music” is a good folder choice!)

Next, the order emails i receive all have the same text in the subject so i decided to create a rule using the rules wizard. Go to “tools” and then select “rules wizard”(IMPORTANT! if you already have multiple folders, make sure that you are in your “inbox” when you do these next steps).

With “start creating rule from a template selected” you want to choose “move messages based on content”. Hit “next” and then click on “specific words”. This will bring up a box for you to enter text. Write whatever the heading is for your order emails (if they differ slightly every time but have a few common words you can use those here). Then hit “next” again to go on to the next screen. When you see “what do you want to do with this message?” I chose 2 actions by making a check mark next to the items- “move it to the specified folder” and “play a sound”. You will notice that “specified folder” and “a sound” are blue and underlined. Click on each of them to specify the folder and the .wav file you want to use. The next screen asks you for exceptions to the rule- i had none but you might have some and if so add them here. Make sure at the end to “turn on the rule” and if all of your online orders are in your inbox, a quick way to get them all into your new “orders” folder is to check “run this rule on the inbox”.

Next time you get an online order you will hear the wonderful sound !$!KA-CHING!$!.