How to get busy people's attention

In an effort to train junior people @ Deepen AI, I wrote a small set of guidelines to help people communicate better and get the results they want. Then I figured this also applies to my Linkedin network.

Busy people get thousands of random requests and messages so chances are they will never even look at most messages they receive. If they do see one, here is how to maximize your chances of a response:

- Be super terse, less is definitely more to maximize your chances of getting a fast response.

- Include a meaningful short title. Most busy people will engage on one liners than full messages.

- Provide granular tangible actionable specific next steps.

Bad example: Let's connect sometime (no background, no benefit, nothing tangible)

Good example: Please connect with me so I can share a research report from Y about your industry. The report is credible and useful to you because of X.

- Start with a summary of your ask, due date and why it's good/important for them or their company.

Bad example: Need your feedback on my problem X.

Good example: Requesting in person meeting tomorrow morning to resolve customer X escalation. Your attendance is required to approve the cost/pricing of Y.

- Be honest and direct about your intention. Don't play games or try to embellish your request. If you do get a meeting and later on, if people feel deceived, they will avoid you like the plague.

- Do your homework. They will not get the details by themselves. Provide summarized details and brief background as needed. Supporting details are only helpful if they decide to engage in your title or short ask.

Here are some more bad examples of messages that will never get a response:

"Love to pick your brains on … "

"We are in the same field, so we should connect for maximum benefit"

"You should add feature X to your product, that will be so cool"

"I just graduated - what full time positions do you have?"