Want to send an email to someone at the very top ? Here are the rules !

Communication / Career Management / Self Management
November 18, 2014

" Don’t Be Afraid to Cold-Email Powerful People, but within some limits "

We're often hesitant to reach out to senior leaders who are only an email away.
But a concise email to the right person can open up new possibilities for learning and growth – it's happened for many people.
And besides, what’s the worst that could happen? No response , at the most !!
So the next time you want to cold-email someone powerful, consider these tips:

What to expect ?
Expect a 50–90% failure rate (i.e., no response) the first time you cold-email someone.

How often ? When to stop ?
Emailing once every two days is politely persistent, but you should probably give up after three or four tries without a reply.
Timing ?
Weekends are often the best time to send busy executives a note, since they may have more time to read something.
Size of the  email ?
Keeping your message short and to the point increases the chance it will actually get read – and you may even get a response.


Adapted from “ Tips for Cold-Emailing Intimidatingly Powerful People” by Peter Sims.