how to schedule that meeting?

The day has come, it is time to schedule that digital meeting with your desired mentor by sending a short and value-giving E-mail. What to write though? How to be on point and how to convince? Remember, this is the first step of possibly creating a long-term relationship with the mentor. Thus, it is important that you are not going all-in right away! It is a step-by-step process:

think of it as a marathon in relationship building not a sprint!

When it comes to working with successful individuals you want to make sure to be mindful of their time. Hence, it is paramount to bring your point across in a very short, sharp and simple manner. I came up with the 20-70-10 E-Mail rule that enables you to efficiently structure your meeting request.

the 20-70-10 rule of landing a digital meeting

This rule requires you to write your E-Mail in 3 paragraphs only, whereby each paragraph has a different purpose and wording ratio in %:

1. Introduce yourself (20%)

2. Provide value (70%)

3. State call to action (10%)

1. keep the introduction short & precise

In the first paragraph introduce yourself with your name, profession/ studies and a quick information on how you found the mentor. Either through a contact (do not forget to thank the contact for making the introduction!), an online publication or through for instance a social network (i.e. LinkedIn).

2. what is the value you can provide?

This is the most important paragraph of your E-Mail! Think of information, data, consumer trends, market changes, digital trends, etc that you can share to provide value to the mentor.

Networking rule #1 is: what is in it for the other person?

Last week's minutes precisely outline all steps to create an appealing and unique value proposition. Your focus should not be on "getting something out of it!" right away, instead it is recommended to share information that can help the mentor with a project or passion. This will position you to give value to the mentor.

pro example:

Here is an example of a winning 20-70-10 E-Mail that I have sent to successful professionals, who I am now lucky to call my mentors.

Dear xxx,

my name is xxx,  I am a xxx (profession) at xxx (company). I read your article on xxx in Forbes (publication) and the strategy of xxx to increase sales. This approach inspired me to come up with an innovative xxx in my current role.

I have come across data that consumers are spending 50% more on xxx products, when receiving a personalized online consultation when shopping online. The consultation needs to provide consumers with 3 benefits such as xxx, xxx and xxx. This insight might be useful since you outlined in your article that you are still facing the challenge of providing a more personalized shopping experience online.

I would  love to learn from your experience in xxx and simultaneously share my insights on xxx. Thus, I would appreciate if you could spare 30 min of your time to connect with me via Zoom?

I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this proposal and I would be excited to learn from you.

Best regards,

xxx

This 20-70-10 E-Mail structure has allowed me to land some of the most valuable coaching calls with leading global Marketing and Investment professionals, who have been guiding me with advice ever since.

the DOs & DON’Ts of short, sharp & simple E-Mail drafting:

the DOs:

• Stick to the 20-70-10 ratio of the E-Mail paragraphs

• Provide a value proposition - your information should create a direct link to the mentor

• Give an insight / information that they do not know yet

• Inquire for a digital exchange - not more than 30 min! Offer to set up a Microsoft Teams or Zoom call

• Be humble and respectful of their time

• It should not take more than 2 E-Mails to have the call set up! Whereby, the first E-Mail is the introduction and the second E-Mail is the meeting confirmation with a calendar invitation and the link to the Zoom call included.

• You are the one sending call link, the mentor does not have any TO DO in this!

the DON’Ts:

• Do not just ask for a digital exchange
• Do not glorify the mentor
• Do not forget the method of catch up in your first E-Mail
• Never ask for more than 30mins in the first catch up - when in the call be respectful of their time & do not go over time.

Drafting your E-Mail by following the 20-70-10 structure will enable you to approach any successful professional in an insightful, respectful and sharp manner that is providing the professional with value. From my experience and the feedback of my mentors this is a key success factor as to why they choose to agree to a meeting or not.

Once you landed that meeting, it is showtime. Because then your personal growth path is prone to reach new heights! In next week’s Monday Minutes I will outline the exchange-aftermaths: how you should listen, learn and duplicate, then execute the advice given with a sprinkle of YOU on top!

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Monday Minutes are my personal & independent reflections for inspirational purposes only. They are not professional career advice, they simply outline my experience & advice that has been shared with me and helped me personally.