LinkedIn cold outreach message templates

Cold means the person has not heard from you before. The aim of the first message is a reply, not a sale. Replace everything in [brackets]. The structure behind these is explained in LinkedIn cold message structure.

1. Sales, problem-first

Hi [First name], teams like [Company] often struggle with [problem]. We built [product] to [specific outcome]. Is this something you're looking at this year?

2. Sales, trigger-based

Hi [First name], saw that [Company] just [hired / launched / raised]. Congrats. When that happens, [problem] tends to get urgent. Open to a quick chat on how others handled it?

3. Partnership

Hi [First name], our audiences overlap: you reach [audience] with [thing], we serve the same people with [thing]. Would a joint [webinar / guide / referral arrangement] make sense?

4. Recruiter to passive candidate

Hi [First name], your background in [skill] is a close match for a [role] we're hiring for at [Company]. It's [one honest selling point]. Worth a short conversation?

5. Freelancer or consultant

Hi [First name], I noticed [specific issue on their site, product or content]. I help [type of company] with exactly that. Happy to send a short written suggestion, free, if you'd like.

6. Asking for advice

Hi [First name], I'm moving into [field] and your path at [Company] is the closest to what I'm aiming for. Could I ask you two quick questions about [topic]?

7. Event or podcast invite

Hi [First name], we're hosting [event/podcast] on [topic] and your take on [specific thing] would help our audience. Would you consider joining?

8. Referral request

Hi [First name], I'm trying to reach someone who owns [function] at [Company]. If that's not you, could you point me to the right person?

Before you send

Read the message as the person receiving it. Is the first sentence about them? Is there one clear question? If not, rewrite it. Free note drafting: connection request generator.