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Hi there friend,

Diarmuid Early, known by many as the "Excel guy," shared an interesting story about Wall Street bank analysts in an episode of NPR’s Planet Money podcast. Keyboard shortcuts were so important to their workflow that, supposedly, any rookie analyst caught using their mouse to work in Excel would have their mouse cord cut.

I might not be a bank analyst on Wall Street, but as a graphic designer, I also rely heavily on keyboard shortcuts.

In fact, keyboard shortcuts have been making all of our digital lives easier since the early days of computing.

Let’s take a quick look back in time, shall we?

1970s: The concept of keyboard shortcuts began with text-based interfaces in early operating systems like Unix, where commands were entered manually.

1980s: With the advent of graphical user interfaces (GUIs) in systems like Apple’s Lisa and Macintosh, shortcuts became more common, simplifying complex tasks into quick keystrokes. The famous "Ctrl+C" and "Ctrl+V" for copy and paste were popularized by the Apple Lisa in 1983!

1990s-Present: Windows and Mac OS popularized shortcuts, integrating them deeply into software, making them essential tools for productivity.

Keyboard shortcuts have become ubiquitous. They are indispensable tools that help people navigate their digital environments with speed and ease. I absolutely would not be able to carry on without my precious keyboard shortcuts.

Did you know that you can save time and enhance your email marketing with keyboard shortcuts? Here’s how we have incorporated keyboard shortcuts into our platform to help you seriously speed up your workflow:

🗺️ Navigation Shortcuts

You can navigate to different pages and features in your AWeber account using super handy keyboard shortcuts. Need to start creating a message? Hit “Shift + M”. Want to head to Reports to check the stats on your most recent email? Simply Hit “R”! 

Here is a super handy Cheat Sheet you can print out and keep by your computer. 

✨ The Slash Menu

Type "/" on any new line in our Message Editor to quickly add new elements or to write with AI. Navigate up and down the menu with your arrow keys and hit Enter to make your selection. This handy shortcut can seriously speed up your creation process.

💇 Styling Shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts are an effective way to style your message as you see fit without having to click extra buttons. The shortcuts used will vary depending on if you're using a Mac or Windows device.

💅 Markdown Keyboard Shortcuts

Want to take your text formatting and styling to the next level? Say hello to Markdown. Markdown is a text-to-HTML language used for quickly formatting and styling text. Type a hashtag to get an H1 or two hashtags for an H2. Need a blockquote? Type a right angle bracket (>).

Check out some of the other things you can do with Markdown in acton below ⬇️

Getting used to keyboard shortcuts takes a bit of practice, but the benefits are well worth the effort. Start by learning a few essential shortcuts that you use frequently, like Ctrl + C for copy, Ctrl + V for paste, and Ctrl + S for save.

This Week’s Challenge 

Incorporate these into your daily routine until they become second nature. Gradually add more shortcuts to your repertoire, focusing on those that enhance your specific workflow, such as email marketing tasks in AWeber.

To reinforce your new habits, keep a reference guide or sticky notes with key shortcuts near your workspace. Consistent practice is key; make a conscious effort to use shortcuts instead of the mouse. Over time, the muscle memory will develop, and you'll find yourself navigating your tasks more efficiently. 

Try incorporating these shortcuts into your daily tasks and see the difference they make!

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- Chelsea H. and the rest of the AWeber team