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Update cold-emails.md
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jbhuang0604 authored Jul 30, 2021
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Expand Up @@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ How do we write an effective cold email?

Check out the thread below for some ideas.


## Contents

Your email should contain the following four elements.
Expand All @@ -17,7 +18,8 @@ Your email should contain the following four elements.
- Context/Connection: "You killed my father."
- Call for action: "Prepare to die."

![Figures](https://media1.tenor.com/images/d3b447a59b28f46ffa1d48c38a293a2c/tenor.gif?itemid=9985166)

https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/987204/127597993-dd517966-7685-481d-9adb-3892096d230e.mp4


## Greeting
Expand All @@ -39,37 +41,40 @@ A simple one would work. My name is NAME. I am a POSITION from AFFILIATION. I am

Provide SPECIFIC context, personal connection, background information in your email. Do your homework!

![Figures]()
https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/987204/127597929-7bc7c8db-602e-4340-a544-9d6b29979e1c.mp4


## Call for action

Spell out what you expect the recipient to do after reading the email. Make it ACTIONABLE (e.g., set up a short meeting, answer a question, or prepare to die).

![Figures]()

https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/987204/127598163-446fa368-375b-4c97-a5ff-f5fe27fcbc70.mp4


## Consistent format

This pitfall is quite common in inquiry emails from prospective students. Ex:

"I am fascinated by your work <paper A> and <paper B>." where paper titles are of inconsistent font type/sizes. This almost surely indicates that you are sending massive emails.

![Figures]()
https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/987204/127598224-54e9863b-442d-4de7-8efe-3db8b05b922e.mp4

## Your name

Make sure that you full name "in English" appears as the sender. Don't use your favorite anime character's name or some unmemorable ID (e.g., [email protected]).

![Figures]()
https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/987204/127598270-0cee3271-1f30-42c1-9c78-e0e3c25bf568.mp4


## Make it clear and structured

Emails are not just plain texts. Make the main points stand out using bold/italic fonts. Itemize your talking points to make the email easier to read.

![Figures]()
https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/987204/127598333-8d5c64fd-2e41-4899-958a-84e4b2ea290a.mp4

## Quality

For prospective students looking for advisors, remember that your email is a WRITING SAMPLE. If your email is not clear or has lots of errors, it could actually hurt your case. Revise the emails before you send them.

![Figures]()
https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/987204/127598384-c4f1fc83-e479-4b74-9f6a-1afaa4e70e83.mp4

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