Hit rate on cold emails

What has been your hit rate on responses to cold emails for a networking request. I’m currently a student and mine is under 15% and more recently gotten worse. Curious to see what other people’s success rate has been. Do you think being the end of the year/holidays has anything to do with it? Should I hold off till the new year to email people?

 
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So, this may be counterintuitive, but try sending a follow-up during the space between holidays. Normal email traffic dies down, you may get lucky, then if no response, try one more time after the new year's. DO NOT worry about "bothering" people with multiple emails/linkedin messages, so long as you are not "spamming" with anything its fine. 

TBH, I am probably 10x more likely to respond the 2nd time (not to say I look to ignore the first), there is almost an odd sense of "email guilt". Don't be afraid to you this to your advantage, and frankly I am far more interested in talking to someone persistent in trying to reach me than someone who may be mass emailing. That 2nd attempt can be golden.

Finally, be sure to keep your email as short as possible... "Hello, I am a student at X, and I found your profile at (insert connection of alumni, organization, or just Linkedin/whatever) and I would like to ask if you would be willing to have a quick call with me so I can learn more about X (what you do/your firm/industry/career/background, etc.). Thank you so much in advance!"

Don't give your life story, or offer to return the favor with drinks at your dad's country club or whatever. We were all there when we were students, you do not have to justify yourself, JUST ASK for the meeting. Also, if you do have an internship/job, but are a student (or recent grad), email from your .edu address and don't mention the job/internship, even if graduated (you should still be able to use your student email as an alum). Far more willing/interested in talking to "students" than any professional category if it is for this purpose. 

 

A great strategy I have found successful is speaking with alums from my school at different companies. Often they are willing to connect you with a co-worker. When they set you up with someone in an intro email it would be surprising if the co-worker does not reply.

 

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