Claire writes,

While you find yourself in transition, you will send many e-mails.

This tip is a great way to make the most out of these e-mails.

According to Guy Kawasaki on his blog, > How to Change the World <,  the optimal length of an e-mail message is five sentences.
 
The email should explain:
 
Who you are (in two sentences or less)
What you want
Why you should get it
When you need it by
 
If you are already known to your sender, you can skip the introduction, and limit your e-mail to three sentences.

Guy Kawasaki

Guy Kawasaki blogs from Palo Alto, California. He describes himself this way on his visual CV,

“I am a founding partner and entrepreneur-in-residence at Garage Technology Ventures and co-founder of Nononina (the owner of Alltop.com and Truemors.com). I am also a columnist for Entrepreneur Magazine. Previously, I was an Apple Fellow at Apple Computer, Inc. I’ve authored eight books including The Art of the Start, Rules for Revolutionaries, How to Drive Your Competition Crazy, Selling the Dream, and The Macintosh Way. I have a BA from Stanford University and an MBA from UCLA as well as an honorary doctorate from Babson College.”

His blog is How to Change the World, a Practical Guide for Impractical People.