| name | linkedin-dm-outreach |
| description | This skill should be used when the user asks to "write a LinkedIn message", "draft a connection request", "help me reach out to someone on LinkedIn", "write an InMail", "message this person", or when the prospect-researcher skill identifies a high-value contact worth reaching out to. Also triggered by "how should I approach [person/company]" in a LinkedIn context.
|
| consumer | cc_foreground, cc_background_task |
| phase | 8 |
| skill_type | hybrid |
LinkedIn DM Outreach
Purpose
Write personalized LinkedIn messages — connection requests, InMails, and
follow-up messages — that get responses instead of being ignored. Every
message must demonstrate genuine relevance: why THIS person, why NOW,
why the user is worth responding to.
Voice Loading
Load the user's voice via voice-master's overlay resolution before drafting:
- Read
../voice-master/SKILL.md and follow its User Calibration
Overlay section to load exemplars and voice-dimensions from the
out-of-repo overlay (or template fallback with warning if no overlay).
- This skill's medium is
professional. Select professional-medium
exemplars from whatever voice-master loads.
- Read
../voice-master/references/anti-slop.md — apply the Universal
and Professional / LinkedIn sections.
If no overlay is present, voice-master falls back to generic voice guidance
and warns — note this in your output.
DMs are the most personal LinkedIn format — sounding templated here is
fatal. One bad outreach message can permanently close a door.
Message Types
Connection Request (300 characters max)
The hardest format. 300 characters to establish relevance and earn a click.
Rules:
- Name a specific reason for connecting (shared interest, their content,
mutual connection, specific role/company)
- No generic "I'd love to add you to my network"
- No pitching in the connection request — ever
- If there's no genuine reason to connect, don't send the request
Structure: "[Specific reference to them or their work]. [Why connecting
makes sense for both sides — in one sentence]."
First Message (after connecting)
Sent after a connection request is accepted, or to an existing connection.
Rules:
- Thank them for connecting (brief, not gushing)
- Reference something specific about them or their work
- State your reason for reaching out clearly
- Ask one specific question or make one specific offer
- Keep under 150 words — respect their time
- No "I hope this message finds you well"
- No walls of text about yourself
Structure:
- Line 1: Brief genuine acknowledgment
- Line 2-3: Why you're reaching out (specific, relevant)
- Line 4: One clear ask or offer
Follow-Up Message
If the first message got no response after 5-7 days.
Rules:
- Maximum ONE follow-up. Two unanswered messages = they're not interested.
- Add new value — don't just "bump" or "circle back"
- Shorter than the first message
- No guilt ("I know you're busy but...")
- Accept that silence is an answer
Warm Introduction Request
Asking a mutual connection to introduce you to someone.
Rules:
- Make it easy for the introducer — provide a brief, forwardable blurb
- Explain why the introduction makes sense for all three parties
- Never pressure — "only if you think it makes sense"
Research Integration
Before drafting any outreach, gather intelligence on the recipient:
- Their recent posts and content (what they care about)
- Their current role and company (what they're dealing with)
- Mutual connections (potential introduction path)
- Shared interests or background (common ground)
- Their company's recent news (relevant context)
If the prospect-researcher skill has already run on this target, use
its findings. If not, perform lightweight research before writing.
Outreach Scenarios
Job Search
Goal: Get a conversation about opportunities.
Approach: Lead with what you can do for them, not what you want.
Reference specific challenges their company/team faces. Ask about the
team or the work, not about open positions directly.
Client Acquisition
Goal: Start a relationship that could lead to business.
Approach: Never pitch in the first message. Offer genuine value first
(insight, introduction, resource). Build rapport before discussing services.
The goal is a conversation, not a sale.
Networking
Goal: Build a genuine professional relationship.
Approach: Reference specific shared interests or complementary
expertise. Suggest a concrete (low-commitment) next step — a specific
article exchange, a brief call, a shared event.
Recruiting / Hiring
Goal: Attract a candidate.
Approach: Lead with why you noticed THEM specifically (not "we have
an exciting opportunity"). Be transparent about the role and company.
Respect that they may not be looking.
Output Format
recipient: <name and context>
message_type: <connection_request | first_message | follow_up | intro_request>
scenario: <job_search | client_acquisition | networking | recruiting>
research_used: |
<key findings about the recipient that informed the message>
message: |
<the message text>
character_count: <for connection requests — must be under 300>
rationale: |
<why this approach and angle>
References
../voice-master/SKILL.md — Voice authority; follow its User Calibration Overlay section to load professional exemplars from the user overlay../voice-master/references/anti-slop.md — Universal + Professional/LinkedIn anti-slop rules../prospect-researcher/SKILL.md — Deep research on outreach targets
