Especially if you are a freelancer or startup mentor?<p>I have approached freelancers, startup community mentors and others who either claim they are for hire or available to “assist” with startup related questions.<p>In each case I send an email or a tweet requesting specific advice but I stress that I do not want to be a pest so they should only reply if they are truly interested or have the time. Like clockwork, I get a response along the lines of “hey, thanks for reaching out, I’d be happy to help…”<p>I reply with thanks and gratitude and proceed to explain my situation. It is precisely after this that the conversation drops dead. No replies or response. Zero. Why does this happen and am I doing something wrong? The reason I reach out to these people is really just so they can point me in the right direction. Is it spammy for me to reach out in this fashion?
I would appreciate your feedback.
I think it has something to do with the question you're posing in your second email. Are you asking them to commit time or resources without compensation? What is your question?
It seems like in your initial email you come across asking them for advice (flattering), but follow up with request for their contacts? Is that right? If so, maybe be upfront the first time about what you really need from them. Keep it short if you can.