Many of us retreat when we hear the words “cold call” or “cold email.” But as an entrepreneur — or an aspiring entrepreneur — you’ve got to put your fears aside. If you don’t, you’ll likely miss out on some great opportunities.
Sending emails to your idols or people you’ve never met is a great way to network, get referrals, share your story and build a business. One of these connections could lay the groundwork for your success.
Related: Opportunity Everywhere: Why and How You Should Cold Email Everyone
If you’re on the fence about sending a cold email, ask yourself: “What do I have to lose?” Maybe that person won’t respond, but if you never send the email, you definitely won’t get a response. So put your fears aside — here’s why you should make it your 2017 goal to start emailing your idols.
Create your own opportunities.
Don’t bank on someone else to connect you with a person. Instead, rely on yourself. By sending a cold email, you can start a conversation with nearly anyone, says Heather R. Morgan, CEO and founder of Salesfolk.
Connect with someone quickly.
Cold emailing is the most effective way to reach someone that you’ve never met before, says Agent Beta founder Andrew Medal, a serial entrepreneur.
“As the world becomes more connected, and the degrees of separation become smaller, we can almost always find a way to get an intro to someone,” he says.
There’s no excuse to not reach out, given that the person’s contact information can be found somewhere or somehow. If you don’t know where to start, try LinkedIn, Streak, Rapportive or Hunter, Medal advises.
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