5 reasons people ghost your emails

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5 reasons people ghost your emails

Last week, I asked a reader why he hadn’t reached out to anyone for a coffee chat yet.

He said, "I did, but no one is replying to my emails."

Oof. That hurts. I’ve been there too.

The truth is: most cold emails don't get replies.

But it’s not because you’re not good enough. It’s because there are common mistakes that silently kill your chances before your message is even read.

So let’s fix that. Here are 5 reasons your emails aren't getting replies:

1. Your subject line is boring

This is your first impression and it’s probably falling flat.

Subject lines like:

➡️ "Coffee chat request"
➡️ "Inquiring about role at X company"

...are easy to skip. They make the email about you, not the reader.

Try this instead:

"Curious about your journey from X to Y"

or

"Saw your post on [topic] + would love to hear more."

Want to take it a step further? Use the “Show me you know me” method. It means writing a subject line only they would understand.

For example, if you emailed me with the subject line:

"The Leap Sprint + PM + Let's Chat?" 

I’d open that in a heartbeat. Why? Because it shows effort, familiarity, and a personal touch.

You clearly did your homework.

2. You’re emailing the wrong person

Most people only target recruiters. Makes sense, right?

While it can work (like it did for me), it’s not likely.

Here’s the thing: recruiters get flooded with messages. If you're lucky, they'll tell you to apply online. That's it.

Instead, shift your focus to:

• Current interns

• Past interns

• Full-time employees with 1–5 years of experience

These folks are closer to your journey. They remember what it was like. They're not drowning in cold emails so they’re way more likely to reply.

2 weeks ago, a Leap Sprint reader told me they tried this strategy and messaged a intern at a IT company.

That intern ended up referring him directly to the hiring manager!

3. Your emails talk too much about you

Tough love time: if your email is just a pitch about why you’re amazing, you’re probably getting ghosted.

Networking isn’t about convincing someone to help you. It’s about connecting first.

Don’t open with a request for a referral.

Don’t write a mini resume.

Instead, make your email about them.

Do your research. Ask a thoughtful question. Be curious.

To get my Product Owner role, I emailed the hiring manager and just asked a question about their transition to PM.

That’s how I got the reply. The rest followed.

4. You’re not following up

Even the best-written email can get lost in someone’s inbox.

So don’t assume silence = rejection.

Here’s my follow-up strategy:

• Initial email: Send between 8–9 AM on a weekday (Tues, Wed, or Thurs). Avoid Mondays, Fridays, and weekends.

• 1st follow-up: If no reply in 48 hours, send a quick nudge.

• 2nd follow-up: Send one more a full week later.

If there’s still no reply after that? Move on.

Keep your energy flowing forward.

5. You’re not playing the numbers game

The truth is, even when you do everything right, not every email will get a reply.

But every email you don’t send guarantees no reply.

So play the numbers game.

Keep sending. Keep learning. Keep adjusting.

Your next opportunity might be one thoughtful message away.

That’s all for today. If you enjoyed this post, share it with a friend!

If they subscribe, I’ll send you a coffee chat guide!

See you next Tuesday 🤝

-Michael Ly

P.S.
Whenever you’re ready, here are 3 ways I can help you:

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