Image
Top
Navigation
October 23, 2014

Shortwhale – Improved Email Communications

ss-shortwhale
Longer isn’t necessarily better when it comes to communicating via email. Rather than wading through lengthy emails from friends and colleagues, Shortwhale has developed a way for its users to tell the world how they prefer communicating online.

Shortwhale is all about customization. The web-based application doesn’t dictate how you, as the user, should set up your email account. Instead, it provides you with tools to let other people know how you’d prefer to communicate. Create your own Shortwhale page to let the world know your email preferences. This page should include an FAQ section, where many people will find the answers to whatever they were emailing you about to begin with. (For example, where to send press inquiries or how to apply for a position at your company.) Your Shortwhale page should also include instructions about how you prefer emails to be structured, along with a link to a contact form where messages are limited to 500 characters. Add a link to your Shortwhale page in your email signature, and you’ll be able to give the people you’re emailing clear instructions for how they should respond.

Shortwhale provides an easy way for people to explain how they would prefer to receive emails, and it doesn’t require access to a user’s email inbox. Messages that are sent through Shortwhale’s contact forms aren’t stored, and the application works with every email client.

Practical Uses:

  • Receive fewer unsolicited email messages
  • Decrease the length of the messages you receive from friends
  • Set up filters to sort messages by topic
  • See how many people have visited your Shortwhale page without sending an email

Insider Tips:

  • Shortwhale tracks how many people have visited your Shortwhale page
  • Require senders to check a box saying they’ve followed your requests before their messages are sent
  • Set up filters to group messages by sender or topic
  • Messages sent through the contact form are limited to 500 characters

What we liked:

  • Shortwhale works with every email client
  • Shortwhale users spend less time going through their inboxes each week
  • Having an FAQ page cuts down on the number of unnecessary emails
  • People don’t have to give Shortwhale access to their email inboxes

What we didn’t like:

  • Shortwhale doesn’t have any way of guaranteeing that people will follow your instructions when they email you
  • Alternatives:

Company Info:

  • Launched: 2014
  • Privately Held
  • Headquarters: Zurich, Switzerland
  • Founded by: Dominik Grolimund
  • Web site: http://www.shortwhale.com

Costs:

  • Free

Submit a Comment