You suck at eMail (Part 1)
Consider the Basics
Most bad emails aren’t offensive — they’re forgettable.
They’re too long, too vague, too apologetic, and too much work for the reader. And the person reading your email is almost certainly:
Extremely busy
Reading on their phone
Skimming, not studying
Deciding in seconds whether to respond
If your email doesn’t make things easy, it dies quietly.
The Problem With the “Typical” Email
Here’s what weak emails usually do wrong:
Vague subject line
Long paragraphs that say nothing
No clear role or goal
No specific ask
“I’m passionate, I’ll do anything” energy
Puts work back on the reader (“if needed,” “possibly meet”)
No urgency or direction
Busy people don’t have time to decode what you want.
Email Basics That Actually Matter
1. Use a Professional Email Address
Ditch your .edu email as soon as you can. Use Gmail or a domain email if you have a site.
Think professional. Include your name. Spend real time choosing it.
✅ reganrogers@gmail.com
❌ xxSpookyDudexx@
If your email makes someone hesitate for even half a second, you’ve already lost.
2. Fix Your Display Name
Make sure your name shows up correctly. No nicknames. No randomness. Make it easy to contact you.
3. Set Up a Proper Signature
Every email should quietly answer the question: “How do I reach you?”
Include:
Name
Title
Phone number
Website or LinkedIn
