Best Networking Email Hooks to Increase Replies

Here’s a secret to help you supercharge your networking. Stop trying to hit home runs with every touch point. Instead, focus on small wins that move the conversation forward. I see so many people making big / vague asks up front: “Can you hop on a 30 minute call?” “Tell me how you accomplished [Big Thing].” These people are super busy and they’re receiving this email from you - a total stranger. The last thing they want is another item on their to do list. Instead, start with a small, simple ask that they can reply to in <30 seconds. Here’s a formula that's been really effective for me: “Hey [Name], your experience in [Industry] is really impressive. I know you're busy, but I just had to ask: If you had to start over and work your way back to [Insert Achievement], would you do A or B? A: [Insert Actionable Thing] B: [Insert Other Actionable Thing]” This formula makes is incredibly easy for them to say "I'd do A" or "I'd do B." Now the door is open! Go do thing A or thing B, get results, and report back. Let this person know you took their advice and then ask for more. This positions you as someone who values their advice and has an action bias -- someone worth investing in. That's going to lead to deeper conversations and stronger relationships!

Most cold networking messages fail for one reason: They ask for too much and offer too little. If you want someone to reply - especially a hiring manager, recruiter, or someone at your dream company - here’s what actually works: Step 1️⃣: Open with context This proves you’re not just spamming. Mention how you found them or what stood out. Example: “Hi Jordan, I came across your profile after reading your post about scaling product teams at Stripe. Really appreciated your take on hiring generalists.” Step 2️⃣: Be specific about your ask People don’t have time to decode a vague message. Tell them exactly what you’d like. ❌ Wrong: “Do you have time for a quick chat or any advice on breaking into tech?” ✅ Better: “I’m targeting senior PM roles at growth-stage companies. I’d love to ask how your team approaches hiring and if you think someone with a customer success background could be a fit.” Step 3️⃣: Keep it short No one wants to read a wall of text. 3-5 sentences is enough. Clear, polite, and human. Step 4️⃣: End with permission Don’t assume they'll say yes. Give them an easy out. “I totally understand if now’s not a good time. Either way, I appreciate your content and hope we can stay in touch.” Bonus: Follow up once If they don’t reply after a few days, it’s okay to send a short, friendly nudge. People are busy. Sometimes they just need the reminder. Most opportunities don’t come from applications. They come from real conversations - and those start with a great message. Send it smart. Send it early. And send it like someone who knows their value. Want me to drop a ready-to-use template in the next post? Let me know in the comments.

I get a lot of requests for coffee chats and referrals, and I've noticed some recurring mistakes in how people reach out. I want to share the strategies that have helped me achieve a 70% response rate. LinkedIn is incredible for connecting, and with thoughtful outreach and content, you can increase your outreach response results. The Don'ts (Vague): 🚫 "Hi there, I'm graduating in May and open to positions at [Insert Company Name]." Why this doesn't work? - It's too generic. No one person knows every open role. - It shows a lack of research. - You're shifting the work onto the recipient. The Do's (Specific & Intentional): ✅ "Hi [Insert Name], I noticed you're a Program Manager at [Insert Company]. I'm interested in the Program Manager role [Insert Job Link] and would love to connect for a 20-minute coffee chat to discuss: - Your interview process - Your day-to-day schedule - Your top challenges and how you overcome them - Any tips you can share Key Strategies for Success: - Targeted Job Titles: If you want an engineering role, connect with engineers. For data analysis, reach out to data analysts. Keep it relevant! - Experience Alignment: Aim for individuals with career tenures closer to your desired level. New grad? Connect with those 2-3 years into their journey. - The Follow-Up is Crucial: After a successful coffee chat, send a personalized THANK YOU. Include 1-2 specific points you discussed to show you were engaged. Strategic and intentional outreach is crucial, especially with so many people looking for jobs right now. It's all about thoughtful research and making it easy for the person you're contacting. What are your favorite outreach tips or questions? Let's connect and share! 👇 #LinkedInNetworking #CareerAdvice #JobSearchTips #StrategicOutreach #ProfessionalDevelopment #NetworkingTips #CoffeeChat #JobHunting #CareerStrategy #NoCeilings #CoffeeChatStrategy #NetworkWithIntention

Most outreach messages get ignored. Too long. Too generic. Too pushy. Here’s a 3-question Formula that turns cold messages into real conversations. 1. Personalized & Relevant Opener → Show you’ve done your homework (but don’t stop at just using their name).  👉 “I saw your post about [topic]—great insights! How did you come up with that approach?” (Personalization alone isn’t enough. It needs to be relevant to THEM.) 2. Low-Commitment Question → Make it easy to reply.  👉 “Curious—are you currently exploring [solution] or open to new ideas?” 3. Value-Driven Close → Offer something useful.  👉 “I recently helped [similar company] with [problem]. Want me to send a quick tip that worked for them?” Why does this work? ✅ It feels natural, not salesy. ✅ It focuses on THEM, not you. ✅ It makes responding effortless. Try it in your next cold message—then come back and tell me how it went. Who’s up for testing this today? 🚀 #Sales #Networking #ColdOutreach

Want more replies to your emails? Stop ending them with “Let us know if you have questions”. This line is a dead end. Nobody replies. It puts the burden on the reader to figure out what to say. Try this instead: → “Did this help, or are we way off? Just reply with ‘almost’ and we’ll fix it.” → “Not sure if this fits you? Reply with a 🟡 and we’ll send you three real customer stories.” → “Got 15 seconds? Reply with ‘Q’ and we’ll send you the #1 question people ask about this.” See what’s happening here? Simple prompts. Easy replies. People are more likely to respond when they know exactly what to do. “Let us know” sounds nice. But if you want replies, ask for something specific.