The best email is short
Every word in an email is a tax on the reader. The best emails pay the minimum tax for the maximum value transferred.
I've written and received a lot of email. The pattern is unambiguous: shorter emails get better responses.
This isn't because recipients are lazy. It's because the attention cost of a long email is real, and most long emails could be half as long without losing anything.
The structure of a short email
- Who I am, in one phrase (if we don't know each other)
- Why I'm emailing (the specific reason)
- What I'm asking for (specifically)
- A time-bound or low-friction version of the ask
Four to six sentences. Close.
What to leave out
- "I hope this email finds you well" (it's not doing anything)
- Long backstory of why you're interesting
- Multiple asks in the same email
- "Happy to chat whenever, just let me know" (give me two specific times)
- "I don't want to take too much of your time" (you already are, by saying this)
The test
Reread your email. Cut every sentence that, if removed, wouldn't affect whether the recipient acts. You'll usually cut 30-50% without losing any content.
The remaining version is better.