Networking Message Templates
Reach out without feeling awkward or sounding like a form letter.
The best networking messages are specific, brief, and give the other person a clear reason to respond. This workflow generates templates for every networking scenario you'll encounter — then teaches you how to personalize them.
The Workflow
Identify the type of outreach
Different networking scenarios require different approaches: cold outreach, warm introduction follow-up, reconnecting after years, thank-you after informational interview, etc.
Generate the message
Craft a specific, appropriate message for your situation.
Write a networking message for this situation. Type of outreach: [OUTREACH_TYPE] (cold outreach on LinkedIn / reconnecting after years / follow-up after meeting at event / thank you after informational interview / asking for introduction / reaching out through mutual connection) Recipient: [RECIPIENT_NAME], [RECIPIENT_ROLE] at [RECIPIENT_COMPANY] Why I'm reaching out: [REASON] What I'm hoping to get from this (be honest — informational interview / job referral / advice / collaboration): [DESIRED_OUTCOME] Connection or hook: [CONNECTION_OR_HOOK] (how I know of them, mutual connection, something specific I admire about their work) My situation: [MY_SITUATION] Platform: [PLATFORM] (email / LinkedIn DM / Twitter DM) Write a message that: - Is under 100 words - Is specific to this person (not interchangeable with 50 others) - Has one clear ask at the end - Doesn't grovel or oversell Then give me one alternative version with a different opening.
Replace: [OUTREACH_TYPE], [RECIPIENT_NAME], [RECIPIENT_ROLE], [RECIPIENT_COMPANY], [REASON], [DESIRED_OUTCOME], [CONNECTION_OR_HOOK], [MY_SITUATION], [PLATFORM]
Plan your follow-up
One message is rarely enough. Build a simple follow-up sequence that isn't pushy.
I sent a networking message to [RECIPIENT_NAME] and haven't heard back. Help me plan my follow-up. My original message was sent: [DAYS_AGO] days ago Original message: [ORIGINAL_MESSAGE] My relationship with them: [RELATIONSHIP] What I'm hoping they'll do: [DESIRED_RESPONSE] Build a follow-up plan: 1. Should I follow up at all? (be honest about whether this is appropriate) 2. If yes: when, what to say, and how to frame it 3. How many times is appropriate to reach out before moving on 4. If they never respond: is there another path to what I'm looking for?
Replace: [RECIPIENT_NAME], [DAYS_AGO], [ORIGINAL_MESSAGE], [RELATIONSHIP], [DESIRED_RESPONSE]
All Prompts for This Workflow
Write a networking message. Outreach type: [OUTREACH_TYPE] Recipient: [RECIPIENT_NAME], [RECIPIENT_ROLE] at [RECIPIENT_COMPANY] Reason for reaching out: [REASON] Desired outcome: [DESIRED_OUTCOME] My hook or connection: [CONNECTION_OR_HOOK] Platform: [PLATFORM] Under 100 words, specific to this person, one clear ask at the end. No groveling. Provide one alternative version with a different opening.
Replace: [OUTREACH_TYPE], [RECIPIENT_NAME], [RECIPIENT_ROLE], [RECIPIENT_COMPANY], [REASON], [DESIRED_OUTCOME], [CONNECTION_OR_HOOK], [PLATFORM]
Write an informational interview request for [RECIPIENT_NAME] at [RECIPIENT_COMPANY]. How I found them: [HOW_I_FOUND_THEM] What I'm trying to learn: [LEARNING_GOALS] Why them specifically (not just their company): [WHY_SPECIFICALLY_THEM] My background (brief): [MY_BACKGROUND] What I can offer in return (if anything): [RECIPROCAL_VALUE] Make the ask specific: suggest a 20-minute call vs. open-ended "pick your brain." Make it easy to say yes with a calendly-style phrase. Keep it under 120 words.
Replace: [RECIPIENT_NAME], [RECIPIENT_COMPANY], [HOW_I_FOUND_THEM], [LEARNING_GOALS], [WHY_SPECIFICALLY_THEM], [MY_BACKGROUND], [RECIPROCAL_VALUE]
A short, specific, appropriately toned networking message with one clear ask — plus an alternative version and a follow-up plan that tells you when and whether to follow up.
- →The best networking messages reference something specific about their work — a talk they gave, an article they wrote, a decision their company made. Generic messages get generic responses.
- →Don't lead with what you want. Lead with why you chose this person specifically, then make the ask small and clear.