Cold outreach.
WHAT MAKES IT FAIL
Length Obviously mass-sent No reason for this person specifically Asking for too much
WHAT TO PUT FIRST
Why you are writing to them.
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIFIC
Referencing something they did, wrote or built.
WHY THAT MATTERS
It demonstrates the message was written for them.
HOW LONG
A few sentences.
WHAT TO INCLUDE
Who you are, briefly Why them What you are asking Why it is worth their time
WHAT TO ASK FOR
Something small.
WHAT SMALL LOOKS LIKE
A question A brief conversation Whether they would be open to something
WHAT NOT TO ASK FOR
A long call A favour requiring substantial work A job, immediately
WHAT TO AVOID
Flattery with no substance Attachments in a first message Assuming familiarity
WHAT TO DO ABOUT NO REPLY
Follow up once.
WHAT TO DO AFTER THAT
Move on.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Mostly silence.
WHY THAT IS NORMAL
Volume of such messages is high, and it is not about you.
WHAT IMPROVES RESPONSE MOST
Having done something relevant to them first.
WHAT TO NEVER DO
Send the same message with only the name changed.
