Cold emails, scouting new ways to work, and tighter Covid rules
Hi!
Not one, but three topics for you today.
Coping with yo-yoing Covid regulations
In Holland the rules have just tightened as cases rise again, hence these notes-to-self. But regardless of what’s going on where you live, reminders like these can help when you face any kind of frustrating shift or restriction.
If you find yourself getting upset about other people’s anger in the face of new guidelines, shift your focus to your own behavior, your own energy, and your own joy. You can only change yourself.
Speaking of joy: Come up with 3 things that will make the weeks ahead more bearable, and find 3 things to look forward to.
Bring positive, exciting, and mood-boosting things into the lives of others, whether that’s through social media, a newsletter, or one-on-one.
Make it a priority to revamp your schedule each week, adapting it to the new circumstances. That brings clarity and peace of mind. (And yes, I have to remind myself to do this each week.)
Scouting out alternatives
Your tried and true approach may stop working for you in these challenging times. Or perhaps you haven’t hit on the right method yet. Some thoughts:
Seeing how others do things can be a powerful way to scout out new possibilities. Make time for it.
What would you do if you didn’t have to comply with what’s already been built?
What would you do if you suddenly had to finish up and deliver today?
What would you do if you could somehow take a solution you admire from a completely different situation and apply it to your own? (How would that comedian’s approach help my teaching?)
Cliché, but true: Those things you’d keep doing even if no one was watching can lead to something beautiful. And paradoxically enough, it’s that sort of authenticity that then appeals to loads of people.
Cold emailing
Keep it short, but get everything across. A hook like “Let me know if you’d like to hear more,” doesn’t cut it. Make sure you’ve put in the work, so the recipient won’t have to.
Include a concrete question. Don’t do vague invitations like, Maybe we could meet sometime. I’d love to pick your brain.
Write a personal message. Do your homework and connect to your specific reader. Say why you’re asking a question of them in particular, and why it’s relevant. Show you’ve done your homework.
Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t have any patience for weak jokes, GIFs, emoji, or other frivolous additions to this sort of email. And it’s no place for small talk: get straight to the point.
When you’ve finished drafting your message, read it aloud and cut what you can.
If you don’t get a response, don’t be afraid to send one reminder. But that’s pretty much the max for a cold email.
Have a good week,
Rick
produced by the language girl