{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "description": "Start emails with tiny asks — one or two questions — and work up to bigger asks as the relationship builds. Here's a five-level framework from tiny to huge.",
  "path": "/articles/small-asks-first/",
  "publishedAt": "2017-06-14T14:13:59.000Z",
  "site": "at://did:plc:jznynyzgerlqmdbbj33o7wfs/site.standard.publication/3mnll3icujb2z",
  "tags": [
    "Outreach and Email"
  ],
  "textContent": "When you send an email, what type of ask are you making?\n\nThe quality and quantity of people who reply to your emails — outreach or otherwise — will be dramatically different depending on the type of ask you’re making.\n\nSmall Asks vs Big Asks\n\nSmall asks are small things. Answering a question or two in an email.\n\nBig asks are big things. Having a phone call. Meeting.\n\nWhen you’re writing your emails, are you considering the type of ask that you’re making?\n\nIf you’re emailing a (relative) stranger, than you want to focus on small asks. Work your way up to bigger asks. I’ve seen many a potential relationship destroyed because someone made too big of an ask early on.\n\nIf you’re emailing someone you have an established relationship with (a client, a friend, a colleague, etc.), then you can make bigger asks, depending on the strength of the relationship.\n\nToo often people start with “Can we have a quick 30-minute call?” and it’s easy to assume that’s a small ask, but if you’re emailing busy people, it’s a big ask.\n\nSmaller asks are better. Ask one thing. Ask for it in the form of a reply. If you have 2-3 questions, ask them over email instead of requiring a phone call.\n\nYou’re sending emails to build relationships, which is why it makes sense to go for the phone call. But you need to take it slow. Small asks first.\n\nHow big is an ask?\n\nThese are the rules that I follow.\n\nTiny Ask — Email response, 1 or 2 simple questions in a short email\nSmall Ask — Email response, 3-5 questions in a longer email\nMedium Ask — 15 minute phone call\nLarge Ask — 30 minute phone call\nHuge Ask — In person meeting\n\nStart with the smaller asks. As your relationship builds, start using bigger asks.",
  "title": "Small Asks First"
}