#104: How to Book 10 Quality Calls in 2 Weeks


Read time: 3 min

Today, I will discuss how to book 10 high quality calls in 2 weeks, even without a built MVP, a brand, or an email list.

For a long time, I was adamantly against sending emails that solicited feedback or product insights.

Why? Because 99% of the time, they’re lazy, vague, and an overall waste of time. “Can I get your thoughts?” is a shitty offer.

But then one of our clients tested a revised version we created and the results were sick. 31 calls booked in 2.5 weeks. 6 converted to paid POCs and $53K in new revenue.

We started testing the new framework out across other clients, and the results were consistently strong across most industries, ICPs, and offer types.

If I had an hour to solve a problem, I’d spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and 5 minutes thinking about solutions.

~ Albert Einstein

We call the email the curious student framework, and it works, because it plays off something deeply human: our instinct to help.

For example. I grew up in NYC. I’ve been asked for directions more times than I can count. And no matter how busy I was, or how much of a rush I was in, I almost always stopped to help. Why? Because when someone genuinely asks for help, especially a lost vulnerable tourist (there’s a lot in NYC), we’re wired as humans to respond. This email framework taps into that human element.

You're not pitching. You're not pretending to have all the answers. You're showing up like someone looking for direction, curious, humble, and intentional. That disarms prospects. It makes them want to engage. It’s not a bait and switch tactic, it’s empathy in action.

And it’s exactly why this approach consistently drives replies, trust, and booked calls.

Let’s take a look.

Step 1: Build a short list of targets

• Search LinkedIn by title + company size (i.e., “Head of Growth” at Series A SaaS companies)

• Scrape or filter on Apollo, Clay, or SalesNav

• Look through recent YC, a16z, or Techstars cohorts

• Use Crunchbase or AngelList to find funded startups in your vertical

• Search Twitter/X bios for functional keywords (“ops nerd,” “B2B growth”)

• Skim podcast guest lists or conference speakers in your niche

Aim for a list of 75-100 qualified targets where you can write with clarity and context. You don’t need thousands of leads, you need the right 100 people

Step 2: Send the first email

Step 3: Follow up with underdog energy

Wait 4, 5 days. If they haven’t replied, send this:

Step 4: Book the call fast

As soon as someone shows interest, send your calendar link immediately. Make it dead simple to say yes.

Step 5: Metrics

If your targeting is tight and messaging is value-driven, you should expect:

• 50–60% open rate (if you’re sending from a warm domain and using clean subject lines)
  

• 10–20% reply rate (personalization and clarity matter most here)
  

• 6–10 booked calls per 100 emails (depends on your ICP and how sharp your CTA is)

The real magic happens in the follow up. A single nudge can double your replies.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• The real problems your target market is dealing with.

• Language they use to describe pain.

• Gaps in current solutions.

• Signals of urgency and willingness to pay.

• What a “must-have” offer could look like.

• If you educate them correctly, and there is a need, they will convert.

That’s it for today folks.


See you all next week!

Darren

P.S. Connect with me on LinkedIn here! (write newsletter in the note with the invite)

P.P.S. If you’re a venture-backed company interested in coaching, book a call here.

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