Get All Access for $5/mo

Get To The Point: The Four-Sentence Email We live in a world where everybody is rushed and pressed for time. People are on the clock, and they want to get things done as quickly as possible.

By Abdulla Barakji

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur Middle East, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

We live in a world where everybody is rushed and pressed for time. People are on the clock, and they want to get things done as quickly as possible. When you're at work or trying to hustle your way to the top for your startup, there's no doubt you'll be sending and receiving a bunch of emails on a daily basis. Having said that, you yourself would hate to receive an email that is not straight to the point and mass-generated.

Crafting the "cold call" email

Using the "cold call" email approach is tricky. You have to make sure that you've included everything you want to say in the most concise way possible. You only get one chance at this, so it better be a good email. I recently came up with the idea of a four-sentence email. It includes everything you want to mention in your "cold call" email. Be sure that you're bringing value to the table; if you're not, no one will want to do business with you.

In brief:

  • When sending emails, keep them as short as possible and straight to the point.

  • Use a tone that is polite, yet professional enough to be taken seriously.

  • You should also try to avoid long sentences. A smart way to know if a sentence is long is using the tweet method, which is exactly how it sounds: try to make your sentence 140 characters or less.

Breaking down the email structure, this is how your email should look:

Sentence 1

Introduce yourself in the simplest way possible and include what you do. There's nothing much here to stress on, just keep it simple. A good example would be: "My name is X and I am the founder and CEO of XYZ."

Sentence 2

If there is anything you want to add about yourself or your business, this is your chance. This could be used to enhance your credibility (and not sound like a spammer). Bring up an achievement that sounds familiar to the reader. A good example sounds like: "We recently sponsored events A, B, and C in Dubai."

Sentence 3

Use this sentence to get straight to the point with what you offer. If the reader went this far, they might be interested. Take this chance to show them what value your services bring and that dealing with you is a good idea. This is your sales pitch, show them that your service is a need and not a want.

Sentence 4

This is where you wrap up with a call-to-action. By now, the reader is engaged and interested. Try to make the process of going forward easy. Don't add any complications. Just a simple action required to take the next step.

Let's face it. You being the first person to send the email means that you want something. This is a two-way road and you need to be giving something in return. Try to differentiate yourself and not sound like a spammer- the last thing you want is your email to be flagged as junk. Be clear and precise, and hope for the best. Always remember that if there is a mutual connection, go with that. A "cold call" email is used when you're coming out of the blue, so make sure it's a four-sentence email.
Abdulla Barakji

Founder, Business Buzz

Abdulla Barakji is an entrepreneur, innovator, storyteller, marketer, and writer. Barakji is the founder of Business Buzz.
Leadership

Should I Stay or Should I Go? 8 Key Points to Navigate the Founder's Dilemma

Here are eight key signs that help founders determine whether to persevere or let go.

Leadership

V3 Gourmet President And CEO Taha Bouqdib On His Journey Reviving The Now 114-Year-Old Bacha Coffee Brand

"I know that Bacha Coffee is a concept that can catch on very quickly; however, I am also equally obsessed with choosing prime retail locations for the brand, to ensure that from the start, Bacha Coffee is a destination, not just another coffee brand on the street."

Growing a Business

How to Be a Human Lie Detector (Infographic)

Here's how you can learn if someone isn't telling the truth.

Growth Strategies

Purposeful Growth: How Germany-Headquartered Henkel Is Pursuing Its Mission To Be "Pioneers At Heart, For The Good Of Generations"

It's one thing to make a statement that underlines the importance of innovation- it's another thing altogether to have it actually engrained within a company that's of Henkel's scale.

Business News

Klarna CEO Says AI Could Help Reduce Company Headcount By 50%

Earlier this year, Klarna claimed its AI assistant does work equivalent to 700 full-time, human customer service agents.

Growing a Business

5 Effective Strategies to Boost Your Business's Online Presence

Boosting your online presence in 2025 is the key to success for businesses looking to grow. Working on your branding and reputation management is important to drive more sales and improve conversion.