Alright, buckle up, cuz I’m about to make stuffy LinkedIn “connect” messages look like they’re stuck in 2009. Seriously, though—sliding into someone’s DMs, hoping for an answer? That’s pretty much the Wild West of networking. You shoot your shot… sometimes just straight into the void. Feels bad, man.
But hey, don’t sweat it. Most people’s cold messages are about as appetizing as week-old gas station sushi—awkward, generic, faintly desperate. Or, let’s be real, they just copied some “guru’s” template they found after Googling “cold DM.” Sends chills down my spine thinking about it.
Now, imagine chucking that stuff out the window. What if you had a DM script so good it practically wriggled its way into people’s inboxes, tap-danced for their attention, and actually got them to reply? Sounds kinda rad, right? Lucky for you, I’m about to hand over my cheat code.
Let’s talk real for a sec—cold DMs can get called sleazy or annoying, but that’s just lazy messaging. When you actually act like a human being—someone who did their homework, who’s not just looking to sell or leech—they work. Like really, really well.
Couple of reasons why:
– Social platforms are basically today’s cocktail parties. Minus the awkward hors d’oeuvres.
– People crave direct, real convos—way more than spammy emails with “Dear Sir/Madam” vibes.
– Sometimes, fortune favors the bold (and the non-cringey).
Issue is, most folks just slap together a one-size-fits-all sales pitch or ask for something right off the bat. No wonder they get ghosted. Enter: my not-at-all boring, actually-gets-replies DM script.
What actually makes a DM make the cut? A few basics:
1. Personalization
Like, for the love of all things digital, use their name. Poke through their feed, find something cool you genuinely dig. Makes people feel less like a number and more like…you know, a human.
2. Give Before You Get
Don’t just show up and demand their time or attention. Give ’em something useful—a real compliment, a tip, a question that makes ’em think.
3. Keep it Snappy
Nobody’s got time for your novella. Get in, make your point, get out. That’s the golden rule.
4. Ask for Something Light
You want a chat? Make it sound more “let’s grab coffee” than “sign this blood oath.” People like options!
Enough pep talk. Here’s the cold DM script I’ve fine-tuned after way too many late-night experiments:
—
Hey [Their Name],
Just stumbled on your [Instagram/account/post about XYZ] and honestly, super impressed with [genuine compliment or specific thing they did].
I’m working on [quick summary of what you’re up to], and thought you might dig this: [helpful thing, link, idea, or a fun question].
Totally cool if you’re swamped, but if you’re up for a quick back-and-forth this week, I’d love to connect and swap thoughts!
Cheers,
[You being Your Awesome Self]
—
Why this works? Because it sounds like something an actual person would write. You compliment first (not brown-nosing, just being real). You give something, even if it’s just a nugget of good energy. And the loop’s open, not needy.
You’re not a robot—tweak that script. Make it yours.
If you’re hustling as a freelancer or consultant, maybe you lead with, “Saw your Shopify tips, mega useful—I’m collecting quick tricks for a guide, can I credit yours?” Or if you wanna collab, “Let’s be real, your memes and my blog posts? Unstoppable combo.” You get the idea.
And if you make products or courses, point out what problem it solves. Offer a first look, or even make ‘em feel a lil’ VIP. “Launching soon—want a sneak peek? Only if you’re into it, no strings.”
Final tip: Don’t go full script-bot and copy-paste. People smell that from a mile away. Toss in an emoji, a little slang, whatever feels like you.
TL;DR—cold DMs aren’t dead. They’re just usually done really, really badly. Shoot straight, be kind, add value, keep it short. Who knows? Maybe you’ll actually get more than tumbleweeds in your inbox for once.
But hey, don’t sweat it. Most people’s cold messages are about as appetizing as week-old gas station sushi—awkward, generic, faintly desperate. Or, let’s be real, they just copied some “guru’s” template they found after Googling “cold DM.” Sends chills down my spine thinking about it.
Now, imagine chucking that stuff out the window. What if you had a DM script so good it practically wriggled its way into people’s inboxes, tap-danced for their attention, and actually got them to reply? Sounds kinda rad, right? Lucky for you, I’m about to hand over my cheat code.
Let’s talk real for a sec—cold DMs can get called sleazy or annoying, but that’s just lazy messaging. When you actually act like a human being—someone who did their homework, who’s not just looking to sell or leech—they work. Like really, really well.
Couple of reasons why:
– Social platforms are basically today’s cocktail parties. Minus the awkward hors d’oeuvres.
– People crave direct, real convos—way more than spammy emails with “Dear Sir/Madam” vibes.
– Sometimes, fortune favors the bold (and the non-cringey).
Issue is, most folks just slap together a one-size-fits-all sales pitch or ask for something right off the bat. No wonder they get ghosted. Enter: my not-at-all boring, actually-gets-replies DM script.
What actually makes a DM make the cut? A few basics:
1. Personalization
Like, for the love of all things digital, use their name. Poke through their feed, find something cool you genuinely dig. Makes people feel less like a number and more like…you know, a human.
2. Give Before You Get
Don’t just show up and demand their time or attention. Give ’em something useful—a real compliment, a tip, a question that makes ’em think.
3. Keep it Snappy
Nobody’s got time for your novella. Get in, make your point, get out. That’s the golden rule.
4. Ask for Something Light
You want a chat? Make it sound more “let’s grab coffee” than “sign this blood oath.” People like options!
Enough pep talk. Here’s the cold DM script I’ve fine-tuned after way too many late-night experiments:
—
Hey [Their Name],
Just stumbled on your [Instagram/account/post about XYZ] and honestly, super impressed with [genuine compliment or specific thing they did].
I’m working on [quick summary of what you’re up to], and thought you might dig this: [helpful thing, link, idea, or a fun question].
Totally cool if you’re swamped, but if you’re up for a quick back-and-forth this week, I’d love to connect and swap thoughts!
Cheers,
[You being Your Awesome Self]
—
Why this works? Because it sounds like something an actual person would write. You compliment first (not brown-nosing, just being real). You give something, even if it’s just a nugget of good energy. And the loop’s open, not needy.
You’re not a robot—tweak that script. Make it yours.
If you’re hustling as a freelancer or consultant, maybe you lead with, “Saw your Shopify tips, mega useful—I’m collecting quick tricks for a guide, can I credit yours?” Or if you wanna collab, “Let’s be real, your memes and my blog posts? Unstoppable combo.” You get the idea.
And if you make products or courses, point out what problem it solves. Offer a first look, or even make ‘em feel a lil’ VIP. “Launching soon—want a sneak peek? Only if you’re into it, no strings.”
Final tip: Don’t go full script-bot and copy-paste. People smell that from a mile away. Toss in an emoji, a little slang, whatever feels like you.
TL;DR—cold DMs aren’t dead. They’re just usually done really, really badly. Shoot straight, be kind, add value, keep it short. Who knows? Maybe you’ll actually get more than tumbleweeds in your inbox for once.
