1. (1) Live and die by your Subject line.
If you don't you're e-mail may never get read. Focus
on your strongest hook, either the contact you have in
common or the specific value you have to offer.
(4) Meet them on their terms.
Nobody wants to commit to a three day road trip at a start of a relationship—what if it’s
horrible? How will you get away? But coffee? A dinner? These things have plenty of exit
opportunities. Make your first request clear and easy. Request fifteen minutes on the
phone, not just a vague phone call. Offer suggested dates and times, not just "a
meeting sometime".
(2) Convey credibility
Convey credibility by mentioning a familiar person or
institution - in this case, Samuel Leeds. Credibility is the first
thing you want to establish in any interaction. (If you are
calling on behalf of the president, I guarantee you Mr. Killjoy
on the other end of the line will listen to what you have to
say.)
(3) State your value proposition
Find somewhere and something where you can add value.
Not generally, but specifically. So instead of looking to just
get hired, the key is to find something to do that’s small, finite
and quantifiable.
