Why I Rejoined Spark and Invested in Premium Features
Written on
Chapter 1: My Shift Back to Spark
I have to confess, when Readdle introduced Smart 2.0 for Spark last year, I felt quite disappointed by the high premium costs. This led me to abandon the app and return to Gmail, which has improved considerably since my last experience with it. But I realize now that I was mistaken!
Using Gmail changed my email habits, resulting in me spending significantly more time sorting through emails compared to when I utilized Spark, which led to increased procrastination. Furthermore, the premium version of Spark offers numerous valuable features, which I will elaborate on later.
Section 1.1: The Search for the Perfect Email App
For several years, I struggled to find an email application that met my requirements. Up until recently, I had been using the default Gmail app on my Google Pixel 7 Pro, my iPad, and on the web. With the guidance of Jeff Su, I implemented the Inbox Zero technique, which helped me maintain a manageable inbox.
You can check out Jeff's insightful video here.
Although this system worked well for me at first, I eventually found myself moving away from it, as I didn't feel it was as effective as Spark had been for me. I still believe Jeff's system is excellent!
Last month, I made the decision to give Spark another chance. Initially, I intended to stick with the free version. However, after exploring some premium features like +AI and Gatekeeper, which piqued my interest, I opted for a 7-day free trial. After experiencing the benefits for a week, I was convinced and decided to subscribe to the premium service.
After being a premium user for about a month, I can confidently say that my email management has improved significantly.
Chapter 2: Optimizing Email Management
When organizing my week, checking emails isn't something I typically schedule; it's more of a daily task I handle in my spare moments, such as during commutes. I primarily manage my emails through my phone or iPad, so having a seamless mobile experience is essential.
I appreciate that Spark provides consistent features across Android, iPadOS, and Windows, which is crucial for my workflow. While I admire the Gmail interface and some of its capabilities, the mobile app has always felt limited compared to the web version, making me less inclined to use it on my phone.
I acknowledge this might be a personal issue, but I firmly believe that an app should work for the user, not the other way around. It shouldn’t require extensive learning; it should function similarly to its web counterpart.
Section 2.1: Managing Busy Work Weeks Effectively
Spark offers a variety of features designed to help you manage your inbox quickly without overlooking important emails. One standout feature is the ability to prioritize important contacts with a pin, which is incredibly useful when dealing with a high volume of emails.
Another favorite feature of mine is the automatic organization of emails into categories, allowing you to filter out unnecessary distractions. For instance, if you find a multitude of emails in the notifications category that you wish to ignore, you can simply mark them as done, and they will be archived, enabling you to achieve Inbox Zero.
I manage several email accounts through Spark, resulting in a significant influx of emails that can be distracting, especially with notifications. Thankfully, Spark allows you to adjust settings to receive alerts only for priority emails or to use smart notifications, which alert you only to emails deemed important.
I prefer utilizing smart notifications across all my accounts, as it accurately identifies which notifications matter most to me.
Section 2.2: Filtering Out the Noise
Spark features a premium option called Gatekeeper, which has played a significant role in my decision to remain a premium user. Gatekeeper allows you to accept or block incoming emails, making it an excellent tool for combating unwanted newsletters and spam.
Additionally, Spark provides the option to pin important emails, a feature I primarily use to highlight messages that require my attention later or those I need to reply to when I have more time.
Chapter 3: The Role of AI in Email Management
The advent of AI has surprised many, eliciting mixed reactions. Personally, I embrace it. While it's essential to approach AI with caution, its potential benefits are undeniable.
I believe that AI won't replace humans; instead, those who effectively harness AI will outpace those who don't. Spark's +AI is a prime example of this. Many people spend excessive time drafting professional responses to emails, often rewriting multiple times to achieve the perfect message. With Spark, you can generate a polished response with just a few clicks, saving you significant time.
Additionally, Spark allows you to summarize lengthy emails into action points, detailed overviews, or concise summaries, enabling you to quickly digest key information—an invaluable feature when you're pressed for time!
Final Thoughts
Overall, I've found that the premium version of Spark has positively transformed my email management. The app has evolved considerably since my last use, and I believe it's worth the investment. However, I would recommend implementing a monthly payment option to enhance accessibility.
In conclusion, my choice to return to Spark and invest in its premium subscription stemmed from various factors, including its appealing interface, especially on the desktop, and its ability to streamline lengthy tasks into quick, efficient processes, largely thanks to AI.
If you're on the lookout for a new email management approach or application, Spark is definitely worth considering!
Before You Go
I invite you to join my weekly newsletter for exclusive insights, tips, and more!
If you enjoyed this blog post, remember that it’s just a glimpse of what’s available on Medium! Click here to explore more stories from Tech With Dom and countless other writers.
You can also find me here…