My best advice: read "Made to stick". Not just once - at least once per year.
How to Email Busy People
61–62 of 62 posts
Re: How to Email Busy People
#62Here's something I learned: don't be wishy washy. Avoid pandering to the person you're emailing - it takes up words and sounds pathetic. I've done this in the past and been the recipient. It just goes bad. Busy people work on short terse communication, unless they are actively in a conversation with you. And, in general, they will appreciate the first few emails you send them being of the same - condensed and full of…
"Don't be wishy washy" he said and than goes on writing 1000 more words about that topic.
The idea is simple, but the execution is tricky, and more words were required to elucidate it. I would not have found it nearly as helpful if he just stopped with "don't be wishy washy."