Who wants their message to be ineffective- raise your hand!
Anyone? No, I didn’t think so.
In whatever business or industry you are in, reaching out to others is daunting and can be time consuming. So the last thing you’d want is for your reach out message to be ineffective.
Now, my expertise comes from reaching out to big names in the podcasting space, but the principles I want to share can be applied to messages sent to busy people in all industries.
So if you want to be more effective in your messages to busy people in the podcasting industry or in general, read on and let me know in the comments which element stuck out to you!
Element #1 of an Effective Message
Start by complimenting something about them or their work. Let them know how it has impacted you directly.
And be sure to be specific! They will be able to tell if you copied and pasted something from their press kit after a quick Google search.
Find a way to be unique in your opening comment. If you put in the effort to go a level deeper in your compliment than the average joe, your message will be all the more effective.
If you can add value by complimenting their work in a way that uniquely affected you, you will have their attention.
Element #2 of an Effective Message
Give Information
In this part of your message, remember that you have a limited amount of words. You do not want to drag on in this part.
When you give information, remember to be respectful of their valuable time, and make it clear and concise.
In the beginning, I would give way too much information. I would start off really strong by giving an unique compliment, but then I would ruin it by going into every single detail about my new business and podcast and what they could expect from it.
Now, I’m not saying that information isn’t important. Believe me- it is.
But the point here is to think about the most effective way to give the information you want to get across that won’t require them to read on for twenty minutes.
Time is their most valuable asset, and showing you respect their time will go a long way!
So be short and sweet. Give them the quick, pertinent information about you and your business, podcast, company, etc.
A helpful point here would be to add a link to your website or show. You are giving them the access to additional information that can build context and interest in your request without taking up the white space in the email.
So we see the importance of leading with value and giving information. Next we’ll see…
Element #3 of an Effective Message
Share Your Meaningful Request
Here is your chance to shine! This is the real aspect of the message that will hopefully resonate enough with your hero to garner a response from them instead of a delete.
Do NOT ask to pick their brain. And do NOT ask for more than one thing.
Take time to really nail down your request. Taking time to do your homework on the individual that you are reaching out to will give you a better understanding of how best to add value to them.
It should be noted here that a meaningful request should not be a virtual contract. Rarely do busy people want to feel like they owe something to someone.
I know I don’t! So, if you are going to offer value but only in exchange for them doing something for you, you need to rethink your strategy.
A request, if done generically, will leave you with no response or a rejection. Having a request that does one of the hard “no’s” I mentioned here will not only be rejected, but it could hurt your reputation with them in the long run as well.
I cannot stress this enough. Taking the time to put research and effort into your request will be the difference maker in your reach out. I cannot guarantee that it will give you a 100% positive return, but you will see a much higher percentage of doors opened.
Element #4 of an Effective Message
Offer Credibility
I’m going to say it a little louder in case you missed it- offer credibility, credibility, credibility, credibility!
This is important and a little tricky because nobody likes an arrogant person.
For instance, when I reach out to someone to ask them to come on my show, I’ll include a list of other guests on my show that I know that they know because I checked to see who they follow on all their social media accounts.
When I was just starting out, I’d find a way to make it sound as credible as possible.
A good hack for this is social proof regardless if it’s from a recognizable name or not.
Even in the beginning when you do not have the largest, most notable names on your show, mentioning their titles or what they have accomplished will go a long way.
An example would be, “I’ve had yeses from the top producing real estate agents in the state and a world-record holder in gymnastics.”
Even mentioning a show you heard them on recently helps. Just having someone’s name next to yours will psychologically increase your credibility because of the law of association.
You are not claiming to know the host of that particular show, but the fact that your name is in the same sentence with theirs will bring unspoken credibility.
Brands that are recognizable will go a long way too. If you have had somebody on your show that worked for a credible brand or is associated with a credible brand in some way, mention it.
Recognizable names, brands, titles, accomplishments, etc. will catch their eye as they scan their email. Especially if they are not reading every word.
So to be effective in your reach out, build some sort of unspoken or spoken credibility into the message!
Element #5 of an Effective Message
Finish off with a “Thanks in advance”
My dog, Snowball, encapsulates this the best. She is a Great Pyrenees and Anatolian Shepherd mix. She basically looks like a 140 pound white lab. Snowball is the sweetest, dopiest, most huggable teddy bear of a dog that you will ever meet.
When I walk by her, she’ll look up at me and catch my eye without moving her head.
She looks up, catches my eye, and starts wagging her tail. So even though I was planning on walking by without petting her because maybe I just washed my hands or I don’t want to smell like dog, I can’t help but kneel down and give her some scratches.
Why? Because she started wagging her tail preemptively- something I like to call “the Snowball Effect.”
When she starts wagging her tail before I pet her, she is in essence thanking me for something that she is hoping that I’m going to do.
So this is the same effect as thanking someone in advance for acquiescing to your request.
It subconsciously creates a desire to finish the loop and perform the task that they’ve already been thanked for. I never finish an email where I’m asking for something without those three magical words.
Showing gratitude for their time and response gives a strong ending to any reach out.
Conclusion
In networking and especially in podcasting, we all want to see our reach outs have a higher response rate.
To achieve the most effective messages, I’d start with working on adding each of these 5 elements to your message!
Let me know in the comments below which one you want to work on in your next reach out, and let me know how it works for you.
And, if you are looking for more valuable secrets that I share about podcasting, register for my free webinar here, and learn some amazing tips!
Here’s to leaving every relationship better than you found it!
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