---
user-invocable: true
name: outbound-message
description: Write cold outreach that actually gets responses
tokens: ~400
cloud-ok: true
---

# Outbound Message
#claudeai

## When to Use
Cold email, LinkedIn message, or DM to someone who doesn't know you.

## What I Need
- Who are you reaching out to? (role, company)
- What do you want? (meeting, intro, feedback, sale)
- Any connection point? (mutual contact, their content, shared experience)

## The Formula That Works

**Subject:** [Specific + curiosity] (5-7 words max)
**Line 1:** [Why them specifically] 
**Line 2-3:** [Your credibility + value prop]
**Line 4:** [Clear, low-friction ask]

Total: 50-75 words. That's it.

## Template

```
Subject: [Their thing] + [your angle]

Hi [Name],

[One sentence showing you know who they are - NOT generic flattery].

I'm [your one-line credibility]. I'm reaching out because [specific reason this is relevant to them].

[Your ask - specific, low commitment].

[Your name]
```

## Examples

### Asking for a Meeting (Sales)
```
Subject: Quick question about [their specific challenge]

Hi Sarah,

Saw your post about scaling the sales team at Acme - the hiring timeline sounds brutal.

I run CrowdTamers - we help B2B founders get 3-5 qualified meetings/week without hiring SDRs. Worked with [similar company] on exactly this.

Worth a 15-min call to see if we can help? Happy to share what worked for [similar company].

Trevor
```

### Asking for Feedback/Advice
```
Subject: Your take on [specific thing]?

Hi Marcus,

Your thread on product-led growth was the clearest breakdown I've seen - especially the bit about activation metrics.

I'm building [product] and wrestling with [specific problem related to their expertise]. Would love 15 minutes to get your take.

Happy to share what we're seeing in return - some of it might be useful for your newsletter.

[Name]
```

## Principles

- **Specific > Generic** - "Loved your content" = delete. "Your point about X changed how I think about Y" = read.
- **Short > Long** - Mobile screens. Busy people. 75 words max.
- **Low ask > Big ask** - "15 min call" not "let's partner"
- **Give > Take** - Offer something, even if small
- **One CTA** - Don't ask for three things

## What NOT to Do
- "I hope this email finds you well" (filler)
- "I'd love to pick your brain" (cringe)
- "Let me know if you have any time" (vague)
- Long paragraphs about your company (they don't care yet)
- Fake personalization ("I see you work at [company]")

## Follow-Up
If no response in 5-7 days, one follow-up is fine:

```
Hi [Name], 

Bumping this in case it got buried. Still interested in [original ask] if you have bandwidth.

[Name]
```

After that, move on.