Ever wondered how to get a hold of someone successful you have never met?

It’s way easier than you think.

It’s as simple as a properly crafted email. (find email templates below!)

Derek Sivers (Millionaire Interviewee and Founder of CD Baby) – On How to Cold Email:

??JT: Do you have any advice for people that maybe haven?t created a multi-million dollar business to get the attention of Seth Godin or, in general, like someone who has a smaller business that are really looking for mentors or at least just an open channel to talk to someone?

 

DS: Yeah, definitely just ask.? You?d be surprised how effective a simple three sentence email can be.? I think a three or four sentence email is so effective and respectful that it?s almost like if you send a real quick pointed three sentence email, who could not answer it?? Unless somebody really has their block gates up like they don?t read their own email but I think anybody who reads their own email, I?ve sent other emails off to my favorite authors and they have no idea who I am and I don?t include my website, they?ve never heard of CD Baby or anything like that and I?ve been amazed how well the three-sentence email can get a reply. ?

 

Just a one sentence qualification like I?m a huge fan of your books and the whatever, this one changed the way I think.? Question number two or sentence two, a simple direct question like but I have one question ? do you feel that a business should split into multiple parts once it gets over 50 employees or do you feel that that was just in your case only?? Any reply appreciated.? Thank you.? Like something like that. ?

 

I think if you send somebody a simple direct question, not trying to dump the weight of your life on them or anything but just asking a simple direct question you get a reply and sometimes you can go back and forth like that a few times and maybe then if you?ve just got a URL in your signature and they?re trying to just answer the question well who is this asking, and if they go to your URL and there?s some interesting posts there or you?ve shared your philosophies or your company and what you?re doing is interesting, it may lead to more or it may just be somebody who answers your questions when you ask. ?

 

I?ve had it both ways.? I mean there, well, I get a couple hundred emails a day and I reply to them all.? Often I have no idea who I?m emailing.? It?s like I?m not replying to them because they are somebody, I?m just replying to them because they emailed. So I do my best to give a helpful answer not based on any qualification of who they are but just because they asked.? I?ve been really surprised how reachable people are when you just send a nice simple email.? On the other hand, if you send one of those like five page long emails then don?t be surprised if you don?t get a reply because it?s just too hard to reply but send three or four sentences and you?ll be surprised.?

 

A simple cold email:

So Today:?Create a list of possible mentors. Find their e-mail addresses and e-mail them!

1. List 10 People in Your Extended Network?

List 10 people in your extended network already that would make a good mentor/interview etc. (think of acquaintances, old friends, friends of friends, people on Linked In or Facebook)

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2. List 10 Celebrities?

List 10 people you admire that have done exactly what you want to do and might seem out of reach. (Smaller book authors, business owners, search Linked in, Facebook, and your industries magazines)

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3. Email Template?

Choose one person on the list and craft a simple, short email to that person.

Hello ______,

Qualifiying Sentence (Example: I?m a huge fan of your books or you know my friend Joe? and he said you might have experience in this that could help me)

A simple direct question in a sentence or two that you could not find out online easily.? (example: But I have one question ? do you feel that a business should split into multiple parts once it gets over 50 employees or do you feel that that was just in your case only?)

Write an end greeting reinstating how thankful you are. (example: Any reply appreciated, or thank you in advance)

Your name

Your URL

Your social media links (if you have them!)

ACTION ITEM

4. Send out crafted emails to at least 5 of the people on your list this week.