i get a ton of email from people who want stuff. i try to reply but it's a barrage.

Some stuff that makes it easier:

- understand that I am likely to read your email on an iPhone. keep it brief, don't write an essay.

- if i reply and say something like "interesting, please send an executive summary" or "i'd love to see a demo" then do that or offer something equivalent/better. i do not want to meet you to see your demo, etc etc etc.

- don't ask for extremely unlikely things and expect a reply

- it takes me a week or two to get to low-priority stuff. don't email me and ask for a detailed response within an hour. if you do have a deadline, tell me so, so i can prioritize appropriately. i'm looking at you, journalists.

- if you are pitching a startup, don't pitch investors who have clear and obvious conflicts.

- if you are offering an advisory role, be up front about offering equity or something.

that said, i try my best. that guy who had acquisition questions a few months ago on Ask HN? i got him to someone who got the deal done.