Ethical Email

Along the lines of email, it is ethical to contact people directly, even if you have never emailed them before. Some may consider it spam, but for the most part, it isn’t if you follow basic rules:

-Research each person as much as posible from their website, state corporate records, etc.

-Make a formal email, as if you were writing the company for the first time on paper. Use their name, company name, address, etc.

-Always address with Sir name (Mr., Mrs. or Ms.)

-Send them a ‘legitimate’ email about establishing a business relationship. Notice I said ‘relationship’.

-Make sure you provide FULL contact information of yourself – name, company, address, phone, email.

-Make a brief statement of your company (your USP, elevator speech, what ever you call it – you do have one, right?)

-Briefly state your proposal.

-State your intentions to provide full details if they are interested.

-Make a limited time close, but not too pushy – like:

“I would appreciate you letting me know your interest by end of next week, so we can schedule time to talk”

or

“My release date is August 26, please let me know by the 15th so that gives us time to prepare for….”

And if you want to double to triple the ‘yes’ response, dig deeper and get a friend referral, then add that to your letter. An example is if you met a business contact, and they suggest talking to another contact, ASK them if you can say that he recommended you get in touch.

Just keep in mind – it has to be all about business with them (whats in it for them) and you have to show you are credible (full disclosure to your business/website, etc).

People have been sending un-announced messages, letters and carrier pidgeons for hundreds of years. Follow proper protocol, you will be suprised at the results you get.