It’s 2019, and you should go for what you want, no matter how risky it seems. While most people only shoot their shot when it comes to their crush, you can channel the same energy to your career.
Hold on a sec- We’re not advising you to be pushy or intrusive. You simply need to take specific steps that might seem a bit unconventional but are bound to help advance your career.
A great way to do this is cold emailing, which means sending an unsolicited mail to a recipient ( a potential business partner, investor, industry professional or organisation) you have never contacted before, for the purpose of establishing a beneficial connection.
While this is a risk, it’s worth giving a shot, as a lot of people have successfully secured clients, business opportunities and even jobs by doing so. Here’s how you can go about it:
a. Do your research
Make sure you do some research on the company or individual in question. Visit their websites, follow them on LinkedIn and check their social media pages. By doing this, you’ll arm yourself with the information that could give you an insight into the right content for your cold email.
If you’re sending a cold email to a manager or prospective client in a company, you should do a little research on the person. Did the individual recently publish a book or article, give a talk or receive an international recognition? Also, find out if you have something in common. It provides a level playing ground.
b. Make sure you have something to offer
You should only send a cold email if you’re sure you have something to offer. Do you have an exciting idea for an existing company? Would you love to work with a particular professional on a project? Would you like an internship or full-time opportunity at a company? These are some examples of valid reasons to send a cold email.
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c. Get the right email
Ensure you’re sending the mail to the proper recipient. Most times, the company’s website has contact info via which you can reach them. Visit the company’s website and get the email you need. You can also find the person’s mail on LinkedIn if he/ she includes it in their profile.
d. Choose a clear subject
Never send a mail without a subject. Top executives hardly open mail without subject lines and they end up marking them as spam or simply ignoring them. It’s advisable to make your subject line a personal one so that it catches their attention. Examples of good subject lines are ‘Can I talk to you about your latest venture?’, ‘I enjoyed reading your latest article’ or ‘I have some exciting ideas!’.
e. Compose a short, clear, concise message
Make sure the body of your mail is short, sweet and straight to the point. Most executives and business owners have busy schedules, so long mails could put them off. Begin your mail with a greeting (of course) and proceed to shed a bit more light on your subject line. After this, introduce yourself, note your common interest or acquaintance (if you have one), tell them how you got their email and then proceed to tell them the purpose for sending the mail.
Here’s an example:
Dear Mr/ Mrs________
I want to commend you on your recently published article. I found it very insightful, and it piqued my interest as a young professional.
My name is _________a budding tech expert looking to make a significant change in multiple sectors, including yours. I got your email from your company’s website. (Great user interface, might I add)
I was wondering if we could schedule a 30-minute meeting next week for a brief discussion on_________. I would love to pitch some exciting ideas and share some insights with you. My schedule is quite flexible right now, and I am willing to work with a time that is best suitable for you.
Have a lovely week, and I look forward to your response soon.
Yours faithfully,
_____________
f. Follow Up
As stated earlier, most professionals are busy and have tight schedules. It’s essential to send a follow-up email at least 2-3 times. (at strategic intervals) This helps to remind them, and it shows seriousness. It’s also important to note that if your cold email is successful and you’re able to meet up, you should send a ‘thank you’ email.
Are you ready to send that cold email? Good luck! (And errr… don’t mess it up, okay?)
Nice read