fbpx

Cold-Emailing: How to Write a Winning “Pitch” Email

Learn how to meet amazing people via email. I’m talking about not even having a connection or an introduction -- just cold-emailing.

Prev1 of 2Next
Use your ← → (arrow) keys to browse


Do you experience email overload?

Research suggests that approximately 294 billion emails are sent per day.  More than 2.8 million emails are sent every second and about 90 trillion emails are sent per year.

According to an independent study, “the typical corporate email user sends and receives about 105 email messages per day. Despite spam filters, roughly 19% of email messages that are delivered to a corporate email user‟s inbox are spam. This includes what is referred to as “graymail” (i.e. unwanted newsletters or notifications).”

Given we receive hundreds of emails each week, it’s not uncommon to bypass many and read a select few. In fact, it’s getting harder and harder to meet people through email and then turn that email into an offline relationship. Yet for Gen Y entrepreneurs, the ability to conduct outreach via email is an essential networking skill to build your client base, find mentors and grow your support system.
So, how can you make your unsolicited email stand out in a crowded inbox?

Of course, an introduction or referral is ideal, but we don’t always have connections that can help us get our foot in the door. Personally, I’ve had some success meeting amazing people via email. I’m talking about not even having a connection or an introduction — just cold-emailing.

A lot of things I’ve accomplished as an entrepreneur — meeting Sheryl Sandberg, getting media coverage in leading business magazines, securing a speaking opportunity at Davos and growing my own business — came from cold emails. Here’s how I did it:

1. Write your email with the reader in mind.

What is it they want to know when they read your cold email? Who is this person? Why is it important that they read your email? What action should they take after they read it? Be clear, be persuasive and, most importantly — be relevant.

If you’re looking to form a strategic partnership start composing your email with something like, “My name is Jane Doe. I am an entrepreneur and founder at ABC Widgets with a revenue opportunity for you. Can I set up 10 minutes with you next week?”

2. Make sure to ask the question.

Sometimes we make the mistake of saying, “Let me know if you have time.” That’s not a question, and it is neither direct nor clear. If you don’t make it important to you, the recipient won’t make it a priority. Instead, write something like, “Can we meet for 15-minutes over coffee in the next two weeks?”

3. Be specific about who you are and what you will offer.

Don’t give a three-sentence bio. Give a one-sentence description about what — specifically — you have to offer. Also, cater it to the person you’re emailing; it won’t be a “one size fits all” pitch.

For example, if you’re looking for a mentor, your education might be relevant if you have alumni connections. If you are forming a relationship with a potential client, your latest business accomplishments are far more relevant.

Prev1 of 2Next
Use your ← → (arrow) keys to browse
 

© YFS Magazine. All Rights Reserved. Copying prohibited. All material is protected by U.S. and international copyright laws. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this material is prohibited. Sharing of this material under Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International terms, listed here, is permitted.

   

In this article