The following post was first published in Success Magazine by our friend Mike Loomis.

— by Mike Loomis

When coaching new entrepreneurs and authors about strategically connecting with influencers and potential clients, I use the three-sentence rule to focus a message. I’ve used it myself, and with clients, to establish new business relationships, referrals and even coveted book endorsements.

To explain this rule, let’s pretend we’re introducing ourselves to a power broker named Riz Clargley. First, let’s discuss salutations.

Dear Delete Me

Seriously. Don’t use the word “Dear” to greet someone, unless that person is your grandparent.

Instead, use “Ms. Clargley” or simply “Riz.” If you’re feeling sassy, you can add “Hi” or “Hello.” The point is to be yourself, move straight to the first sentence and avoid alerting the recipient to the fact you’re a frightened rookie.

Sentence 1: Why

Tell Riz why you’re interrupting her busy day in one punchy line. This sentence must contain these specific elements:

• Why the recipient should care about your email. This might include the fact you share common personal or professional connections. Perhaps you’re from the same home state or university. Casually mention one or two of those shared interests, but don’t sound like a stalker.

• Proof you’re familiar with their work, achievements and worldview. For example, “I love your latest blog, and I’m writing with a related question.” Familiarity with Riz’s professional world shows respect and lets her know this isn’t a form letter.

Sentence 2: Who

Show Riz who you are and what you bring to the conversation. In other words, answer this question in the recipient’s mind: Who is this person and why should I care? Make it clear you are a peer who brings value to the table. Of course, do this in a non-overt way. Instead of saying, “I’m a pretty big deal, founder of the hottest new startup,” try something like, “My employees sometimes ask me similar questions regarding…”

Notice you didn’t mention your title or the size of your business, but this line shows Riz you are a leader of a company and have more than zero staff. No staff? No problem. Mention client issues, which shows you have clients, or some part of your background that conveys you are on a winning track.

By the way, if your signature declares you’re both president and CEO, this signals smallness, not greatness.

Sentence 3: What

Simply ask Riz what you want to ask. Be clear. Don’t apologize. Most important, remember she’s busy. Provide her something she can simply reply to with a “yes.”

If your real goal is a phone call, don’t ask, “Could we have a phone call some time?” This requires consideration, questions about when and how long. Instead, write, “Is Monday at 2 or 3 p.m. a good time for me to call your office for a quick 8-minute chat?”

This sentence tells Riz you respect her time, are willing to do the time-zone math, and all she needs to do is pick up the phone. Whatever your “ask” is, make it clear and simple to say “yes” to.

Get to the Subject

Now that you’ve articulated a clear who, what and why, consider the best subject line for your email. The goal of your subject line is to:

• Stay out of spam folders.

• Be opened, not deleted.

• Start the conversation on the right foot.

I recommend subject lines that are tailor-made for the recipient. “Quick question about your article on leadership” or “Recommendation from our mutual friend, Landy.”

Cryptic subject lines like “Question” or “Connecting” will likely be ignored.

P.S. More Writing Tips

• Don’t use a P.S. unless you’re writing sales and marketing copy.

• Avoid frequent “I” contact. If your three-sentence email has the word “I” or “me” in it six times, keep editing.

• Be nervous, but don’t send a nervous email. Humor, punchy writing and lack of awkward formality show confidence. Self-deprecation has no place in this email. Successful people are repelled by fear and gravitate toward confidence.

• Use an email address with your company domain. Gmail will often go to spam folders, and even if it doesn’t, lack of a bespoke email address shows you are not in it to win it.

• Brevity shows respect. Riz knows if you don’t respect her time, you’re not worth her time to reply.

• Wide open spaces make pleasant reading. Have you ever received an email consisting of one, long, 200-word paragraph? Don’t send something similar to Riz. Put a blank line between every sentence of your email.

• Do your research and make sure you have the best email address. If Riz works at a large corporation and you can’t find her email address, try to find out her assistant’s address. The same rules apply to emailing assistants.

You have one chance to make a connection, and this chance lasts about 10 seconds.

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[Special thanks to Success.com for the cover photo.]