Most People Won't Try

Most people won't even try to reach out to influential people or pursue opportunities that seem difficult, creating a massive advantage for those who do make the effort.

Key Points:

• Cold Email Strategy:

  • Pick 100 people you want to reach
  • Spend 30 minutes a day for a month
  • Follow up with each person 10 times until they say no or yes
  • Expect about 10% response rate, which can be life-changing

• The Power of Follow-ups:

  • Initial emails are what brave people do
  • Multiple follow-ups are where the magic happens
  • Most people aren't willing to send 4+ follow-ups

• Tim Ferriss Stanford Story:

  • Offered a round-the-world ticket to students who could cold email the most hard-to-reach person
  • Only 10-15% of the class even tried
  • Those who tried all reached someone significant
  • Some reached extremely influential people like a former president

• Why It Works:

  • Most people perceive the task as too difficult and don't try
  • Having a unique story makes you stand out
  • You'll likely be the most interesting email they receive that day
  • The barrier is much lower than people imagine

• Rule of Reciprocity:

  • When you do something nice for someone, they almost always reciprocate
  • People often return the favor disproportionately to what they received
  • This principle can be leveraged in business relationships

• Building Your Story:

  • First businesses are starter businesses
  • The story you create is often more valuable than the immediate profits
  • Stories of cold calling, door-to-door selling, and creative problem-solving open bigger opportunities
  • These stories can lead to speaking engagements, accelerator access, and new connections