The prompt
Score 10 of 10, Excellent
Use it when You need a short message asking for advice or a referral that respects the other person's time.
- {{ask}}
- {{recipient}}
- {{connection}}
- {{my_background}}
- {{channel}}
Full prompt and why it works
Prompt
Write a short message to someone I do not know, asking for {{ask}}. They owe me nothing, so the message must be easy to read, easy to answer and easy to decline. About them (role, and what I know from their posts, talks or work): {{recipient}} Anything we have in common (school, former employer, a mutual contact, an event), or "none": {{connection}} About me, in two or three lines: {{my_background}} Channel: {{channel}} Task: Write the message, then one follow-up. The message: - Open with why I am writing to them in particular, using only what I gave above. - One or two sentences about me, only as much as makes the ask make sense. - One specific, small ask, such as a 15-minute call about a named topic or two questions answered by email. If the ask is a referral, include the job title, the posting link or ID, and two lines on why I fit, so they can pass it on without extra work. - A line that makes it easy to say no. - Length: 60 to 120 words for email or a LinkedIn message, with a subject line under 8 words for email. For a LinkedIn connection request, under 200 characters, which fits the note field on any account. The follow-up: under 50 words, to send a week later if there is no reply, adding nothing new except a polite nudge. Only one follow-up. Rules: - Do not claim familiarity or a connection I did not give, and do not invent details about their work. - Avoid vague flattery such as "I admire your journey", and avoid "Can I pick your brain?", which gives them nothing specific to say yes to. - Do not attach or paste my resume unless the ask is a referral. If I gave nothing specific about them, do not guess or fake a personal touch: write a direct message and put [one specific reason you chose this person] where it would go.
Variables
- {{ask}}
- What you want from them, for example "a 15-minute call about moving into product management" or "a referral for an opening on their team".
- {{recipient}}
- Their name and role, and anything you know from their posts, talks or published work.
- {{connection}}
- Anything you share with them, such as a school, a former employer or a mutual contact. Write "none" if there is nothing.
- {{my_background}}
- Two or three lines about you and what you are working toward.
- {{channel}}
- Email, LinkedIn message or LinkedIn connection request.
Why it works
- What good looks like. The message has to be easy to read, easy to answer and easy to decline, which is what gets strangers to reply.
- Length. Word and character limits match each channel, including the short note field on LinkedIn connection requests.
- What to avoid. No invented familiarity or details about their work, because a fake personal touch is easy to spot and ends the conversation.