How to get busy people to open your email

Reader,

Yesterday, I showed you the email of someone who hates me. Let’s just say that gentleman won’t be getting an invitation to Thanksgiving dinner at Ramit’s house this year.

Now I want to show you how to do it right.

First, a secret about busy people: no matter how stuffed our inboxes are, we love getting email when it’s good.

I remember an email I got where I responded in less than 30 seconds.

Here’s the email:

SUBJECT: UCSD soph will be in NYC next week - coffee?

Hi Ramit,

My name is Michelle and I'm a sophomore at UCSD, where I'm studying technology and psychology. I'll be in New York next week and was wondering -- can I take you to coffee?

[MUTUAL CONTACT #1] and [MUTUAL CONTACT #2] actually suggested I get in touch. I've been working on a persuasive technology project that might be interesting for your work at IWT.

How does next Thursday, 4/20 or Friday, 4/21 work? I'm free all day, especially the afternoon, and I can meet whenever is convenient for you.

Thanks,

- Michelle

My cell: XXX-XXX-XXXX

That email worked, and let me show you why.

If she had just invited some busy person to coffee, they would have said no. The blunt truth is that busy people get too many coffee invitations.

But she went a step further — she (1) named mutual connections we have, and (2) got more specific about why she wants the meeting.

That’s it! It’s not complicated, but having those relationships matters.

If you want to build real relationships with people who can help you, pay attention to five things Michelle did:

• She referenced two people who I knew, liked, and trusted. If they’re suggesting I get coffee with someone, I’m probably going to like them.
• Her subject line (“UCSD soph will be in NYC next week - coffee?”) was phrased as an active question.
• She came out swinging with something we have in common (an interest in technology and psychology).
• She hints at “a persuasive technology project that might be interesting for your work at IWT.” Intriguing, but not hitting me over the head with an aggressive sales pitch. I want to know more!
• Her ask was specific, but flexible. (“How does next Thursday, 4/20 or Friday, 4/21 work? I'm free all day, especially the afternoon, and I can meet whenever is convenient for you.”) I can tap out a short “yes” to one of those dates or toss out a date of my own choosing.

Michelle’s email was crisp. It was interesting. And it was actually exciting! One minute earlier I had no clue who she was, but now I wanted to know what this “special project” was.

What I love most is, the structure of her email can be used to reach all kinds of busy people:

• Asking for warm introductions to a hiring manager at your dream company
• Reaching out to a blogger, podcast host, or book agent to get eyeballs on your business
• Bypassing a busy person’s assistant or gatekeeper (so you can access them directly)

Reader, you can reach out to anyone in the world you want — the author of a book you love, the CEO of a business you admire, someone you just want to meet. The last time you thought “man, if I could talk to _____ for 5 minutes, I could ____ so much faster” — who came to mind?

Your job for today: send that person an email like Michelle’s.

Then reply here when you get a response.

P.S. Tomorrow I’m talking about how to connect with VIPs to get one-on-one mentorship, ongoing introductions, and "skip-the-line" access into the private world of unannounced jobs and unrivaled perks. If you want to get started today, check out my course: Advanced Connector’s Package.