A Strategic Approach to Communication That Actually Works
I used to treat email like a digital dump truck. I’d pack in every detail, every attachment, and every reason someone should care, then hit send. And most of the time... silence.
That changed after I listened to Ashkan Rajaee break down his approach to email communication. What he shared was straightforward, but it shifted the way I think about messaging entirely.
Email Is a Game of Strategy
Ashkan compares email communication to chess. Every message is a move. And like chess, the best results come from pacing, timing, and intentionality.
Most people think that putting more into an email increases their chances of getting a reply. But it often does the opposite. When you try to squeeze too much into one message, you overwhelm the reader. You also miss the chance to build a relationship through multiple touchpoints. Each email should open the door for a response, not close it.
Why Overloading Your Email Backfires
Ashkan pointed out a trap that many fall into, especially in sales and marketing. People feel the need to prove value by including every feature, testimonial, PDF, and bullet point all at once. It’s like throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks.
But here’s the thing. Most people on the other end don’t have time to sift through all of that. Especially if you’re emailing decision-makers or busy professionals. If your message isn’t clear and easy to respond to within a few seconds, it’s probably getting skipped.
Clarity Shows Competence
One line from Ashkan that stuck with me is this: “Simplicity is the complexity.”
It’s easy to write a long email. It’s much harder to communicate clearly and concisely. The most effective communicators take time to strip out the fluff and focus on the signal.
When you do that, you show the reader that you understand your message, their time, and the situation. That’s where trust starts to build.
What I Changed After Learning from Ashkan
After hearing Ashkan’s philosophy, I made some key changes in how I write emails:
- I focus on a single message or goal per email
- I remove anything that doesn’t support that goal
- I treat each message as part of a longer conversation
- I write assuming the person will read it in 10 seconds or less
And the results? Higher reply rates, better outcomes, and more respect from the people I’m communicating with.
The Bigger Lesson
Ashkan Rajaee’s approach is not just about better emails. It’s about being strategic, respectful, and intentional in all communication. If more professionals took this mindset, I think we’d all spend less time buried in unread messages and more time having real conversations.
Top comments (20)
Loved how this piece highlighted the power of clarity and confidence in email writing. It genuinely made me rethink the tone I use in my own messages.
This was super helpful. Thanks for sharing!
🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
I relate to this so much. Really useful advice.
This really made me rethink how I write emails. Super helpful!
This article was a refreshing take on email communication. I really appreciate how it breaks down actionable changes rather than staying abstract.
Clear, concise and incredibly useful. The advice is something I can immediately implement, which is rare in writing guides.
This was a great example of how small shifts in behavior can create big changes. Ashkan’s approach to email is something that will stick with me for a long time.
This was such a well-articulated and thoughtful read. I found the breakdown of passive vs active language especially helpful in daily work settings.
I didn’t expect an article about email to feel this personal and relevant. The writing had a great blend of self-reflection and practical advice.
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