Getting a reply from an A-lister is certainly not most of us can get, although we can’t sue them for that because, even I at this stage gets around 15 emails a day so how much more for them? But of course, there’s always a solution for every problem.Adnan of Blogtreprenuer commented on the Best Blog Tip of Seth Godin that gave me an idea for this post. If you’re too lazy to click the link, here’s what he said:
Awesome quote – and I would expect nothing less from Seth, especially after reading Purple Cow. Really motivational – well done on getting that Carl.
Actually I didn’t expect a reply from Seth when I emailed him because I dropped it directly through his standard email where loads of people contact him (No contact forms, etc.). But after 20 minutes, there goes the tip. Quick reply much?
That made me think, I mean almost 70% of the emails I send to high profile bloggers get replies. I could be doing right things here… And yes, I did.
Here are some of them, take these as a guide and always apply them to every blogger you know:
Emailing Them At The Right Time
I emailed Seth around 10+ PM here and that’s currently around morning in the US (We’re at +8 GMT). If you email a high profile person in the evening, the times were most likely he won’t open his inbox, your message will go down and gets bumped by other people’s messages.
Try sending them in the mornings (in their time of course!) and hit the time where they get up and check their inbox. I’d suggest observe first what time they post on their blog. An hour or two before that time is the best moment to send your email because he probably checks his inbox before he posts. Like what most of us do!
Stand Out Like A Sore Purple Cow
Ok, the sore was just an exaggeration, be unique as possible. It would be better if you could find a way to send your email with a headline as you can play and experiment what works and what sucks.
Convert the “I have a question” subject to something more challenging in their part because people/experts like to be challenged i.e. “A Question You Can Never Answer” then just explain why you used the headline. Haha!
Use Other Contact Options
As I stated above, I emailed Seth directly in his main email address. That gives me a lesser chance to get a reply. That address I bet gets hoard of emails everyday.
Try other options, like their MySpace or Facebook profile that only few people can see, Less messages and higher chance for a reply.
Don’t Hit Them Right To The Point
I hate it when people ask me “Read this article and link to it, it’s very useful” It’s too hard for me to even click the link they gave me.
Hit them in a softer way. Introduce yourself, flatter them. Give something in return.
Be Personal, He’s Your Friend
One thing I’ve observed about the people who email me is that they treat me like I’m an A-lister, bigger & better than them.
There’s nothing wrong with that but why not make it more personal? Stop using Sir’s, use their name. Crack them up on something. Talk like he’s your friend, because they’re still ordinary people.
There’s Nothing Better Than A Live Example
You can’t learn basketball reading, neither Karate nor Baseball. That applies to almost everything too, so here’s one for your email:
Subject: From A Laughing Fan – You Nailed Me
Hey A-lister,
How’s life doing there, I found your post about the dog who ate the cat, and man was that funny! My dog once bit my leg but ate a cat?!
Great work on your blog, you’ve been my number one inspiration from the start. Keep the great
bites, err pots coming.And by the way, I have a cat here that needs to be fed, can you help me with this?
Thanks for the time,
Cheers,
Carl Ocab
Be Creative
For the last tip, and probably the best one. Be creative, that differentiates us humans from computers. We have the special ‘touch’ perse. Don’t limit yourself.
Adnan says
Hehe no problem for the post inspiration Carl.
I find that if you just keep your email short and to the point, that always works the best, and I’ve mostly always gotten a response out of the A-lister I was emailing. Great article.
Wayne Liew says
I only succeeded once in getting a reply, which is from Maki, blogger from Dosh Dosh. I do get replies from local bloggers, which are from Malaysia.
As a famous blogger yourself, do you get tonnes of e-mails a day and how would you manage them? One romour I heard is that John Chow don’t even read his public mails and just deleting them all. :???:
Iantrepreneur says
I too have been talking with high profile ‘gurus’ as well shawn collins was a recent one – in retrospect to affiliate summit.
that is true I always introduce myself and flatter them, I automatically claim them as a friend and treat them as one as well – I mean they are just like me – once starting in my position
GREAT POST!
Charles says
hey awesome post, thanks for the great tips now lets see how they work. Keep it up and look forward to more great posts from you :!:
Carlo Selorio says
I’ve emailed a few big time marketers and as long as your not wasting their time then they will help you.
Good insight Carl… btw how are you going with my request :smile:
Cheers,
Carlo
pearl says
All great points Carl… and the last tip is probably the best as well as THE most important one of all… it should have a voice, just like your blog…
Seth is one of my favorite bloggers, you can find instant motivation in his words.. glad you got a response from him… I sometimes feel that those are the qualities that separate them from the rest, don’t they?
Ken Xu says
Getting a reply from A-list is certainly a great enjoyment. remember the first time I got my post commented by A-lister too. It’s great one and I still remember how my face smile widely! :grin:
This is an awesome tips Carl. In my opinion, emailing A-lister with on the right moment is a ‘surefire’ tip. :)
Stephan Miller says
That beats sending the form mail. So basically you’re saying not to act like a computer. Man, now that I know this is possible, I have to find something worth emailing someone about.
Jan Verhoeff says
I just recently shifted my main site from a website to a blog. I’m loving it. I love the simplicity of adding pages, thoughts, and articles. And I just wanted to mention that I’m appreciating your rss feeds to my email. You’ve got some awesome ideas.
Jan
Jochen Van de Velde says
Great posts, some very useful tips. I’ll keep them in mind.
jordan widel says
Thanks i will really use this advise
steve says
hi,
Wow, i must say great info here on your site and your only 14.
Keep up the good work.
Wealth says
Your number 1 rule really works. I always do that and gets tons of replies from prospective clients!
Edwin says
Hello Carl,
I will try to follow your ways.
marketing for newbies says
Nice share. I’ll take that advice
Prepaid Cell phone Guy says
Great Post. I have gotten responses in the comment section from some of the top bloggers. This is a post on a subject that I have never thought about.
Great Job,
Rick
Thanks for the DoFollow links
Sigh says
Wow great job carl. You are such a genius guy. Filipinos are great in terms hospitality. Ang galing talaga ng pinoy. Pinahanga mo ako kaibigan at isa ka sa mga inspirasyon kong pinoy blogger. Dalawa na kayong pinoy blogger na hinahangaan ko ng lubos. Mabuhay ang Pilipino. Hinihintay ko pa yung 2nd submission ng Master Plan mo. At kung maari bisitahin mo ang blog ko at kung ano ang masasabi mo sa blog ko especially sa mga mali ko. I started blogging since January 2009 without any background about computer. Tulungan mo naman ako. I need to earn to sustain my family needs. I’m hoping for your reply. Thanks for your time reading.