How often do people respond to networking emails?

I’m currently sending emails to network with analysts and associates at different groups I’d like to learn more about. 
 

I’ve noticed the response rate is kind of low. I send about a couple dozen emails a week but only a few respond to schedule a call. Is that typical or a bit low? 
 

For those of you who are good at networking, any advice on writing outreach emails? 

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I've found that my response rate on emails to people that went to my college is ~30% and cold "no connection" emails is around ~10%. The fact of the matter is that its a numbers game so you just gotta grind through it.

My rule of thumb for networking emails is no more than 3-5 sentences:

- introduce yourself with relevant facts (current role/college & major/etc)

- tell them why you are emailing (1-2 sentences)

- Ask to get some time with them to chat

If they reply then you respond back within thirty minutes (idc if you are making out with a hot chick tell her you have to piss and go bang out the email) and provide your availability for the next week (or if they asked for a specific period then provide it for that) in a clear bulleted format. And don't do that BS where you say you are free for from 3-4 and 9-10, give super broad availability (everyone was in college at one point and knows that you dont actually have jack shit to do and you can skip basically anything).

And then when they reply with a time that works send an outlook calendar invite with zoom link (once again asap). Then come into meeting prepared with enough good questions to cover ~25 mins of convo and a good 2 min elevator pitch about your background and why you wanna do their job, have a button up white shirt on if its on zoom and show up 2-3 mins early, if its a phone call call them right on the dot.

Honestly idk if this is the most optimal way but it got me my first job a top group out of college and was also how I networked for PE stuff and got me to an MF (arguably networking was less important here but I digress), so def works if you put numbers behind it. Best of luck.

 

could you give an example of an availability response? I thought it was best to suggest a few specific times, but how did you format the time ranges? Thanks for the help!

 

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