5 Simple Reasons Why Your First Contact Business Emails Receive No Replies
ByJudithPosted onReading Time: 3 minutes
I probably get more emails than most. I have numerous websites, clients, and more business social profiles than I can handle, so I’m pretty busy.
As of late, I have found that I don’t have the time or inclination to respond to emails from senders who feel their time is more valuable than mine. Just because I receive an email, am I then obligated to respond? Not necessarily.
That’s a big shift for me because I often discuss the importance of responding to emails. Generally, it is a matter of courtesy.
However, I’ve noticed five little things that senders do that make it clear they are more interested in getting their message through than actually making serious contact. The devil is in the details.
The primary tell is that many lack the skills to write an effective “cold call” email. When not done properly, most may consider unsolicited, unasked-for, poorly written proposals or partnership requests spam. And a waste of time.
Why No Response to Your First Contact Business Emails?
You used the wrong website form. I talked about this in more detail here. I have different forms for different inquiries depending on which of my sites you are on. I note that on my main contact form page. This is to ensure I get the information I need to properly respond to each specific request. When a sender completes the wrong form, I have a good idea that they are more interested in sending their promotion than in sincerely partnering with me. No response.
Your email does not address me personally. I’m not a corporation or a “Team,” nor am I a Sir or a Webmaster. Just a little effort will reveal that it is just me, Judith. Are you not willing to make that effort? That means you don’t care about me specifically. No response.
Your email offer or inquiry does not concern my site’s topic. I know it is tempting to get exposure to the business folks who frequent this site, but if you cannot convince me why exposure on my site would benefit my site visitors, specifically, I will not respond. In addition, I note I don’t accept sponsored or guest posts. So stop asking.
Your email has grammatical and spelling errors. We all make mistakes. I do too. But I still get emails with incomplete sentences in all small case. Some are so bad that I think folks are testing me to get a rise out of me or see what kind of response they’ll get. In any business email, you need to be professional and coherent — or you get no response.
Claiming you’ve reviewed my site when you haven’t. Offering generic compliments that don’t really apply to my site screams template. Offering specific details goes a long way toward getting my attention; otherwise, do not expect a response.
Assume the people you are emailing are very busy. They have to budget their time carefully by prioritizing their activities. Understand that successful business people want to communicate with those who show respect for their time and who communicate professionally, with clarity and specifics.
Just these five little things will determine what emails they will respond to — or not.
Reading Time: 3 minutes 
