Some believe that cold emailing is a hard form of communication for two main reasons. One, it is expected that when you send a cold email, you have no relationship with the person you are attempting to connect with yet. Second, there is no non-verbal feedback that would enable you to change your approach in real-time. As a young professional, I have to cold-email all the time. If you’re familiar with my journey, you know that I work in entertainment. The entertainment business is all about relationships and cold emailing is a great way to get those relationships started.

Through hundreds of moments of trial and error, I have found some helpful and actionable tips that I must share. If you implement these practices I can say with confidence that doing so will greatly increase your responses to cold emails. With my methods, I’ve had informational interviews with executives, had my work reviewed by agents in Los Angeles and have created great relationships in HR at entertainment companies.

Trust me, cold emailing works if you work it. When crafting cold emails, InMails or even Instagram DMS, here are three points your message should be able to answer.

1. How Do You Know This Person?

An introduction sets the tone for the email and you want to start your message “warmly” by providing some context of how you met this person or where you know them from. This is a chance for you to show either you’ve done some impressive research on your target or you are connected to someone that they trust. Studies have shown that people are far more motivated to help others when they feel uniquely qualified to do so.

What this looks like:

“Hello Chris, my name is George Sullivan. I recently met your friend Sean at an event in Atlanta and we talked about how I was looking to find an internship in media this summer. He told me about your work. I have seen your Linkedin and would love to talk with you. 

This opener instantly articulates two big points. The first being that this person is connected to someone I know. Second, they have done some research by checking out my profile. A message sent with this kind of clarity and personalization is someone I would want to help.

2. How Can This Person Help Me?

It is important that you are clear about what your target can do for you and what that looks like. I have received cold messages where I’m interested in helping the person but they don’t give me a clear actionable plan of what that looks like. There have been moments where an individual would message me and ask for “help getting internships”. My next question is usually;

“Well, what does this help look like?”

• Is it a consultation phone call?
• Is it reviewing your resume?
• Is it Skyping and doing a mock interview?

In Brene Brown’s book “Dare to Lead” she has a quote that says clear is kind, unclear is unkind. She writes “Feeding people half-truths or bullshit to make them feel better (which is almost always about making ourselves feel more comfortable) is unkind.” When you want help from someone aim to be clear, go for it, ask for what you want clearly. Doing so saves time and is respectful.

What this looks like:

“One area where I need to improve is on my interviewing skills. Would you be interested in a ten-minute Skype call sometime this week, where I could practice interviewing with you? I’m available Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 pm to 6 pm.”

This approach is clear, bold and provides a direct plan of how this person can be helped.

3. Was I Considerate and Respectful?

After you explain who you are and how you can be helped, end with a sweet note. One on end, yes everyone is busy and time is the most expensive asset we all have. On another end, in my experience people love to help who they can. Make sure you try to end with a nice note that acknowledges how busy your target is and how you appreciate the time to even read your message.

What this looks like:

“I understand that you are busy and I appreciate the time you took to read my message. I hope to hear from you soon and that you have a good rest of your week.”

This wrap up is warm, considerate and respectful. It’s also not too pushy or over the top.

Altogether this is how your message should read:

“Hello Chris, my name is George Sullivan. I recently met your friend Sean at an event in Atlanta and we talked about how I was looking to find an internship in media this summer. He told me about your impressive experiences. I have seen your Linkedin and would love the chance to talk with you. One area where I need to improve is on my interviewing skills. Would you be interested in a ten-minute Skype call sometime this week, where I could practice interviewing with you? I’m available Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 pm to 6 pm. I understand that you are busy and I appreciate the time you took to read my message. I hope to hear from you soon and that you have a good rest of your week.”

• That message above is short, only 130 words
• Sets a clear tone with a name drop
• Establishes how the target can be helpful
• Articulates humility and gratitude

Cold emailing is similar to making new friends. Everyone is different and has their preferences but there are some non-negotiables that make the process a tad easier. Always remember to do your best to be informed, be clear and humble. Those three things alone will take you a long way. Don’t be afraid to reach out to people, and take a chance because you never know where it can take you.