Automation Tools That Promise to Fix Your Inbox (Do They?)
Exploring AI and Automation to Make Email Less Awful
For years, Inbox Zero was my white whale. You know the dream: a pristine email dashboard, no unread messages, and the satisfying clarity of knowing everything is handled. I’d read productivity books, implemented color-coded labels, and set up folders for everything from article submissions to conference planning. It was a system, alright—until it wasn’t.
Then, life happened. Monthly magazine launches, conferences, and ongoing projects turned my inbox from a productivity hub into an endless avalanche. Suddenly, I had seven inboxes—one for the magazine, one for event planning, one for personal projects, and so on. You’d think multiple inboxes would help me stay organized. Spoiler alert: they didn’t.
Each inbox became its own little monster. Some mornings, I’d spend hours just deciding where to start. I’d read an email, decide to “come back to it later,” and—like magic—it would multiply into twenty more by the end of the day. My inbox wasn’t a tool anymore; it was a tyrant.
I realized something crucial: Inbox Zero isn’t the goal. It’s a myth. A cruel, productivity-buzzword-fueled myth. The real goal? Inbox clarity.
The Real Problem: Why Inbox Overwhelm Happens
Let’s talk about why email is such a beast to manage in the first place.
It’s not just about the number of emails; it’s about the decisions they demand. Every email represents something:
A request to schedule an interview.
A decision to approve content.
A task to delegate to the editorial team.
A question that needs an answer (and probably two follow-ups).
And let’s not forget the junk—newsletters we swear we’ll read later, promo emails that just won’t quit, and the inevitable “Hey, quick question!” messages from colleagues.
Sorting through this mess manually is like trying to organize an overflowing junk drawer—only to have someone dump more stuff in while you’re working. It’s exhausting.
DIY Automation or a Tool for the Job
I’ve spent a lot of time building intricate email workflows—automatically processing my inbox, adding subscribers to backups, and drafting responses. And honestly? They work. My Zapier zaps have been running reliably, keeping my email somewhat under control without much intervention.
But lately, I’ve been wondering: Is there a better way? Would using a tool designed specifically for email management—something like Fyxer—be a smarter investment of my time and money?
Fyxer promises to take over email sorting, draft responses in my voice, and even schedule meetings—all with minimal setup. At $28 a month, it’s not the cheapest option, and I’m still weighing whether the switch is worth it. Right now, my Zapier zaps are still chugging along, and I’m keeping an open mind.
I’ll report back after a few weeks, but I’d love to hear your thoughts. Have you found a tool that’s saved you time, or are you sticking with what works? Let me know in the comments.
Pro Tip: Don’t fall in love with your own complex workflows—ask yourself if they’re actually saving time or just creating busywork.
Testing Fyxer: Can an AI Assistant Really Handle My Inbox?
Right now, I’m running Fyxer on my main inbox to see if it can actually handle the complexity of my day-to-day workflow—balancing emails from contributors, sponsors, and my team without missing a beat.
Here’s what I’m testing so far:
Drafting Responses: Fyxer suggests replies in my voice, ready for review. So far, it’s surprisingly good—but I’m still fine-tuning how much trust I can place in it before hitting “send.”
Smart Sorting: It automatically categorizes emails into labels like urgent, follow-up, and non-essential. I'm curious to see how well it differentiates between “deal with this now” and “this can wait.”
Calendar Integration: It scans my availability and suggests meeting times—good in theory, but I’m keeping an eye on whether it really understands my scheduling preferences.
Meeting Notes: Fyxer promises to take notes in Zoom calls and draft follow-ups. I haven’t put this feature through its paces yet, but it’s high on my list.
Learning Curve: Supposedly, the more I use it, the better it gets. We'll see if it picks up on the nuances of my email style over time.
What I like so far: It’s handling a lot of the routine work I’d normally spend too much time on, and it’s nice not having to manually draft the same responses over and over.
What I’m watching: Automation is great—until it isn’t. I’m careful not to let Fyxer take over completely without a human check, especially on sensitive conversations.
Right now, I’m in test mode. If Fyxer continues to deliver, I might roll it out across my other six inboxes. If not, it’s back to my trusty Zapier zaps.
Have you tried an AI email assistant before? I’d love to hear if it’s worked for you—or if you're sticking with your current system. Let me know in the comments!
Meco: The Inbox Detox You Didn't Know You Needed
Let’s talk about newsletters. You love them, I love them—but let’s be honest, they’re taking over our inboxes like an invasive species. At first, it’s manageable. You subscribe to one or two. Then another. And another. Soon, your inbox feels less like a workspace and more like an overflowing to-read pile, filled with subject lines you swear you’ll get to… someday.
The problem? Newsletters are often not urgent, but they sit right next to emails that are. So instead of handling that invoice or responding to a client, you’re down a rabbit hole reading “10 Marketing Trends You Can’t Ignore.” Sound familiar?
Enter Meco, a newsletter reading app that acts as your inbox detox. It moves newsletters out of your inbox and into a dedicated, distraction-free reading space—on your terms, in your time.
Why Meco is a game-changer:
1. A Newsletter-Free Inbox
Imagine opening your inbox and actually seeing only work-related emails—no marketing updates, no “thought leadership” pieces, no “just checking in” emails disguised as sales pitches. Meco sweeps all your newsletters into a separate, organized space where you can browse them at your leisure.
Instead of newsletters interrupting your day, they’re tucked away for when you want to read them. No more feeling overwhelmed by unread counts or guilt over skipping past content you genuinely want to enjoy.
Why this matters: It instantly reduces visual clutter and helps you focus on the emails that require action.
2. A Better Reading Experience
Let’s be real—reading newsletters inside your email app is a terrible experience.
Meco offers a clean, distraction-free interface designed specifically for reading. Think of it as the Kindle for newsletters—perfect typography, an easy-to-navigate layout, and no distracting ads screaming for your attention.
Plus, you can categorize newsletters by topic, making it easier to consume content in batches. Want to focus on industry updates? Done. Looking for productivity hacks? Sorted.
Pro Tip: Organize newsletters by priority—daily reads, weekend deep dives, and “whenever I have a free moment” content.
3. Read When You Decide, Not When They Arrive
Your inbox shouldn’t dictate your reading habits. One of Meco’s biggest strengths is that it gives you control over when you engage with newsletters. Instead of skimming through newsletters in between meetings, you can carve out intentional time to read.
I personally set aside Friday afternoons as my “newsletter reading day.” It’s when I catch up on industry trends, productivity hacks, and the latest marketing strategies—without feeling like I’m procrastinating on urgent work.
Gotcha to Watch: It’s easy to forget about your newsletters once they’re out of sight. Set a recurring calendar reminder (or use Meco’s notification feature) to revisit them weekly.
4. Decluttering Your Mental Space
It’s not just about an empty inbox; it’s about freeing up mental space. When newsletters aren’t constantly nagging at you, you can actually focus on your tasks without feeling like you’re always behind on your reading list.
With Meco, I don’t feel behind—I feel in control. I can dive into newsletters when I want to, enjoy them, and then get back to work without distraction.
Real-life example: I used to keep newsletters in my inbox thinking I’d read them “later.” Spoiler alert: Later never came. Now, with Meco, I actually enjoy reading them because they’re not competing with work emails.
5. Built-In Sharing and Archiving
Sometimes, you come across an absolute gem of a newsletter that you want to reference later or share with your team. Meco makes it easy to bookmark and archive the newsletters you love without cluttering your inbox.
Found a fantastic marketing tip? Save it for future reference. Want to share an insightful industry update with your team? Send it directly from Meco without diving into your email.
Pro Tip: Create a “Best of” archive for your most valuable newsletters and revisit them quarterly for inspiration and trends.
The Meco + Fyxer Power Duo
Meco pairs beautifully with Fyxer to create an email system that works for you:
Fyxer handles the urgent, actionable emails. Think scheduling, responding, and follow-ups.
Meco takes care of the interesting-but-not-urgent. Newsletters, industry updates, and long reads get moved out of your way until you’re ready.
By combining both, you could potentially transform your inbox from a chaotic mess into a tool that serves your goals.
My Personal Meco Routine
Here’s how I’ve integrated Meco into my workflow:
Monday to Thursday: I ignore newsletters completely and focus on tasks that move the needle.
Friday afternoon: I dive into Meco with a cup of coffee and a clear mind, ready to absorb the latest insights.
Sunday evening: I review and archive anything worth keeping, so I start Monday fresh.
This simple routine ensures I stay informed without feeling overwhelmed.
Three Action Steps to Take Right Now
If you're feeling overwhelmed by your inbox and ready to take control, here’s where to start:
1. Test Fyxer to Streamline Your Email Workflow
Take Fyxer for a test drive and see if it can truly lighten your email load. Start by integrating it with your primary inbox and experiment with its key features—pre-drafted replies, smart sorting, and automated calendar suggestions.
Instead of diving in headfirst, take it one step at a time. Use Fyxer to handle a few types of emails, like routine inquiries or scheduling requests, and observe how well it understands your tone and priorities.
More importantly, track the results. Is it actually saving you time, or are you finding yourself double-checking and tweaking too often? Keep an eye on where automation enhances your workflow and where manual oversight is still necessary.
Action: Set up Fyxer, enable pre-drafted replies for your most frequent email types, and track how much time it saves (or doesn’t) over the next week.
2. Declutter and Organize with Meco
Your inbox shouldn’t double as your reading list. Move your newsletters into Meco and experience a cleaner, more focused inbox. Then, set aside a dedicated time each week to catch up on industry news without the distraction of work emails lurking nearby.
Action: Move at least 10 newsletters to Meco today and set a recurring calendar reminder for a “newsletter reading day.”
3. Audit and Optimize Your Existing Email Processes
Whether you’re sticking with your current automations or testing new tools, now is the perfect time to step back and evaluate what’s actually working. Are your current workflows saving you time, or just adding complexity? Identify areas where you can simplify, delegate, or eliminate tasks that don't serve your goals. Ask yourself, “Do I really need to touch every email that comes in?” If the answer is no, set up filters and auto-replies to handle routine messages for you.
Action: Spend 15 minutes reviewing your email rules, filters, and automations to ensure they're aligned with your current needs. Unsubscribe from anything that no longer adds value.
It’s About Progress, Not Perfection
Taking control of your inbox isn’t about chasing perfection or striving for some mythical state of Inbox Zero—it’s about creating a system that works for you, not against you. Whether it’s testing out tools like Fyxer to offload the mental load of email management, using Meco to keep your reading list in check, or fine-tuning your existing automations, the key is to find a balance that lets you focus on what truly matters. After all, your inbox should be a tool that supports your work, not a constant distraction pulling you away from it. So, what’s one small change you can make today to take back control?