Ever see Reservoir Dogs?
It’s a bank heist movie where you never see the heist.
Instead 99% of it is about 7 guys talking about robbing a bank, surviving robbing a bank, and arguing over who ratted them out for robbing a bank.
To add to the confusion they use code names throughout the movie.
Best email related part of the movie is the first 9 minutes. It’s the whole cast finishing breakfast at a diner, chit-chatting over nothing serious (Madonna, tipping culture, 70s music, and forgotten names).
It’s very realistic or Seinfeld-esque and very telling of who each character is to himself, and the others.
See, before you even know a single person’s name you have all the story and introduction you could possibly need.
You’re not thinking of yourself, you’re thinking of the story, who these guys are and making sense of what you’ve been thrown into.
Go check it out.
Because it’ll help you understand why you don’t need to start emails with “Hey [insert your name here]”.
Yeah I know your name, [insert FIRST NAME]. But it’s kinda creepy to use since we don’t really know each other as friends per se.
Same for your readers. Their names don’t matter in an email. You’re interrupting their day for 2 minutes of entertainment and education.
Get to the point.
Immerse them in a feel good moment.
Lay a nice tip they can immediately focus on what matters.
And God help you, drop a link so they can invest in your solutions to their troubles.
Sound good?
Be well,
Max!