This, or a version of it, arrives a few times a week:

“Dear Conor
I need to talk to you. Can I have some time?
X”

By the way, its not from my girlfriend, or my daughter. They get a yes. My mum, dad, brothers, sister – they get a yes. However, generally these emails come from people that I am not deeply connected to.

What do I know from this email?

You don’t care about my time enough to set out an agenda, let me know how I can be prepared, help me with something that you know I want (its all on my blog!).

I think I can predict the success or failure of a startup based upon the quality of the “asking for a meeting” emails that the founders tend to write. This is entirely speculative and based upon zero empirical study, but a lot of emotional certainty.

What is a good email?

• 6 Keys to Getting Your Email Read [Video]
• 6 Ways to Get Your Email Ignored
• Writing Good Email Subject Lines
• How to Get Attention: The 7 Triggers of Fascination

Do you have any examples?

What is your experience?  Are you successful in getting people to say yes to your requests via email?