Re:Startup Business Development Posts
by notahacker on Tuesday January 29, 2013 @05:47PM
(#5136892)
It's more risky than sleazy if used wrongly.
Any particular cold email can (and probably will) be forwarded on to the person you've just named. So you'd need to think very carefully before considering the name in subject line gimmick unless you've had a real conversation with that person, and avoid using words like "X recommended" unless they're true.
On the other hand, finding out the right person to speak to is sales prospecting 101, and making it clear you're not just randomly approaching them is introductions 101.
"I understand from X that you're responsible for Z" is a good intro, unless there's a reason for X to object to the phrasing.
(Sleazy, by the way, is an approach more along the lines of "I'm looking at working together with X and noticed you're connected on LinkedIn, just wondered if in your opinion he was someone I could rely on... OK, that's good. Mind if I mention your name next time I call?"
Next call: "Hello X. I've been speaking with Y and he recommended I speak to you about our...")
Any particular cold email can (and probably will) be forwarded on to the person you've just named. So you'd need to think very carefully before considering the name in subject line gimmick unless you've had a real conversation with that person, and avoid using words like "X recommended" unless they're true.
On the other hand, finding out the right person to speak to is sales prospecting 101, and making it clear you're not just randomly approaching them is introductions 101.
"I understand from X that you're responsible for Z" is a good intro, unless there's a reason for X to object to the phrasing.
(Sleazy, by the way, is an approach more along the lines of "I'm looking at working together with X and noticed you're connected on LinkedIn, just wondered if in your opinion he was someone I could rely on... OK, that's good. Mind if I mention your name next time I call?" Next call: "Hello X. I've been speaking with Y and he recommended I speak to you about our...")