What are you working on?

I got an email a couple weeks ago from Mike Hurney, who runs MassLandlords.net. Mike responded to an email I'd sent him, and then closed with the simple question 'What are you working on?'

Cartoon: two people talking on toy cup phones

I mean, I couldn’t not answer that question! Although Mike wasn’t trying to sell me anything, this is a great closing line for a sales email because:

  • It tells the person you care about their work, beyond whatever you’re trying to sell them.
  • If they answer, it gives you more information about who they are and what they care about.
  • It’s polite, but also really hard to ignore.

Only thing Don’t use this to close a cold email. It should be in the context of a conversation you’re already having or a relationship you already have.