Two days ago, I engaged with someone on a LinkedIn comment thread, and then connected with them to explore working together on an initiative we are kicking-off at @RocketlaneHQ

We decided to connect on a zoom call, and they shared their email address for me to reach out to and set up the call.

My first impulse was to send my calendly link on LinkedIn DM. But then I thought it is easier for the other party to keep track of things on email. As they say, sending an email is like sending a todo to someone. So I sent that email!

My email included some pleasantries, and most prominently my calendly link. I ended my mail with "I look forward to speaking with you soon".

This was the response I got: "Please use the Calendly link in my signature to book some time". An eye for an eye. A calendly link for a calendly link. I deserved it for not following the right etiquette.

By sending my calendly link, I thereby: 1. expected the other person to take the effort to find a slot that works for them 2. sent an implicit signal that we'll find a time based on "MY availability" rather than start from "THEIR availability" In some ways, that was rude of me.

So how do we solve this? By following "calendly etiquette" as below.

If the ball is in your court to propose times or ask for a call, and you want to short circuit the back and forth on picking times, sending your calendly link is just practical. I usually use one of the tactics in my mails to ensure it doesn't come out as rude/self-centered 👇.

Option 1: "Please share some times that work for you this week or next. I am also sharing my calendly link below in case it is easier this way". So I'm sharing the calendly link, but still ensuring that I let them know that it is not about following MY availability.

The other party too has the opportunity to indicate their time preferences. I've clarified that adding the calendly link is about convenience, and not about my schedule vs yours. Works like a charm.

Option 2: "I'm sharing my calendly link here to see if we can quickly fix a time. If none of these times are good for you, do share a few times you are available and I'll make it work 🙂".

Here, the idea is to indicate you are sharing the link to avoid the back and forth. At the same time, you want to call out that you will play by their availability.

Oh! One more thing. Here's a small something you may not have given much thought to. I once had a tip on "calendar invite etiquette" from a popular valley entrepreneur back in 2013, and looks like Calendly follows this too! This is about the title of your calendar invite.

If Maya is using Sri's calendly link to block some time, then the invite will say "Maya and Sri" - with Maya's name coming first.

Since Maya is choosing the time, it should be easier on Sri at a glance to see who is meeting them on the calendar, and with this format, their first name is unlikely to get cut-off based on screen real estate on calendar apps and widgets on the phone / email. Simple but neat!

The little things make that tiny difference in all our engagements and touch-points with prospects, customers, investors, partners. Show that empathy in your communication. The little things matter.

@srikrishnang Power dance exhibited through a executive assistant is now available to everyone with a calendly link.

@srikrishnang This is a great thread! Recall blowing up a chance to get this guest on the podcast because I thought it was easier for them to just book a slot on a calendar. Didn’t realise WHY they’d take THEIR time to figure out what MY convenient time.