The most efficient way is wrong
A few months ago, a poster on a website I frequent posted a request for mentors and advisors for one of his projects.
I responded and made myself available as an advisor. I still have plenty to learn, but many people have provided me with advice and mentorship over the years, so I’m always happy for an opportunity to pay it forward by returning the favour. I received a reply thanking me for my offer to help, and promising future updates.
A few days later, I received a message sent out to 10 people, saying “Here is a status report, I’d appreciate some comments on…”
I browsed through the site and email briefly, and clicked close. He’s got a whole bunch of people on his list, I thought. He doesn’t really need my assistance, and besides I’ve got plenty of things to be doing.
For better or worse, I simply didn’t feel motivated to reply and provide assistance when the requestor is not making a personal connection to me.
I hadn’t paid much attention to the above thought process until I received an email from a good friend of mine who I have known for years. He’s very smart, and a very technically orientated person.
“Hey guys, I need help moving….”
The email was addressed to himself, and I assume theres a bunch of people in the BCC field.
I would normally reply immediately If the message was addressed to me, but even for a close friend, I feel far less inclined to reply if I’m a face in a crowd of BCC’d people.
When written out, this concept seems very straightforward. However I’ve personally made this mistake a number of times, observed it many times, and based on these two recent examples, there are likely many people out mass-emailing themselves out of assistance.
A couple of days ago, the original poster requesting mentors recently sent me a personal email requesting my advice. I replied with a page of comments and thoughts, which prompted me to write this post.
Mass contact may be the most efficient way to communicate to a group of people, but personal contact and establishing a personal dialogue is hands down the most efficient way to receive replies and assistance from people who are happy to help you.
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Tags: Business