The 10-Second Email Busy Donors Actually Answer
It’s year-end giving season and I know you’re busy, so I’ll keep this short.
Are you trying to reach people for last-minute calls, visits, or connections this holiday season?
Try the 10-second email.
What’s a 10-second email?
Well … it’s an email. That you can read. In 10 seconds. Or less.
(Revolutionary, I know. I should probably trademark this groundbreaking concept.)
How do you write a 10-second email? Simple.
Start by writing the email you’d normally send someone to get a visit.
Then, go find the part where you actually ask them if they’re free or interested in a visit or a call or tour or whatever.
Highlight that one sentence and cut everything else. Cut the stories. The impact stats. The warm-up paragraphs. The pictures. All of it.
Just ask the question you want them to respond to. Make it your subject line too. Don’t put anything else in the message.
“Are you available to meet next week?”
“Could I call you Tuesday?”
“Coffee this week?”
That’s the entire email. It should take the reader 10 seconds or less to read.
You’ll be tempted to add more. Don’t. Seriously … trust me. No fluff. No small talk. No bonding and rapport. Just the meat.
Why does this work?
People are drowning in holiday noise this time of year. Retailers are sending deals. Family members are emailing and texting about holiday plans. Kids’ schools are announcing holiday parties and dress-up days and teacher gifts and … seriously, why??? We’re just trying to survive December.
Sorry. I clearly have some unresolved feelings about this.
My point is this … everyone’s inbox is a warzone this time of year.
Don’t add to the noise. Cut through it with a short, direct, respectful ask.
If you can read it in ten seconds or less, you’re good. If not, it’s too long and you need to keep cutting.
Once you have it down to 10 seconds or less, pick three people you’ve been meaning to reach, send it to them, and let me know what happens.
Happy Holidays!
-Michael
