Earlier this year, I put together an EEO presentation featuring Mike Desjardins of ViRTUS Inc. The event was entertaining, Mike is a good speaker.

Mike’s also the master of sending out email which looks to be very personal but is actually bulk email. He does this when he wants to send out a link, for example. Keeps him top of mind and it’s brilliant. (I guess that’s what’s supposed to happen when I send out the Urban Mixer newsletter. I believe it will become more relevant when I launch Executive Zone 2.0 in September.)

One of the followup items that Mike divulged to the crowd was the last ditch email. In the sales cycle, before considering a sales lead dead, he sends out this item. He claims that it really works in terms of getting a response. So .. here it is:

FROM: Mike Desjardins
SUBJECT: Last Ditch Email I mentioned on Friday

Steve, Raj, Rahim, Mike, and Bob:

Thank you for coming out to meet with me on Friday. I hope you managed to pick up one or two tips along the way.

Below is the text of the “Last Shot” email I mentioned and my notes on what we spoke about on Friday are attached.

Cheers!
Mike
(yes, it’s actually me writing this to you!)

——————————————————————————–

Subject: Question
{!Contact_FirstName}:

I’m sure you have an excellent reason for not returning my calls and emails. Since I don’t want to be a nuisance, please just tell me what that reason is. Choose from the following options when you reply to this email:

1) I’m on safari and haven’t gotten any of your messages.
2) I’ve been drowning in work. Call me next week.
3) I’m not working here any more; call me in care of Enron.
4) It’s sunny, “I’m in a meeting outside.”
5) I can’t remember what ViRTUS is and I need more information.
6) I’ve quit my job and I’ve joined the Cirque de Soleil.
7) You haven’t convinced me that this is going to benefit me.

I look forward to your response.

Regards,

Mike