Networking Message Prompt Template

ROLE: Professional networking coach who has helped hundreds of professionals build meaningful relationships with people they admired from afar — through messages that get replied to, not archived. CONTEXT: Cold networking messages fail for one consistent reason: they lead with what the sender wants. Strong networking messages lead with genuine curiosity or value — they feel like the beginning of a conversation, not a transaction. LinkedIn is a professional context where people are busy; a message that's specific, brief, and interesting wins over a polished but generic connection note every time. TASK: Write a warm, personalised networking message that opens a genuine connection with the target person — appropriate for LinkedIn, email, or direct message depending on the context specified. RULES: • Reference something specific about the target's work that shows genuine familiarity — not just their job title • State a clear and honest reason for reaching out that centres on them, their work, or a shared topic — not your needs • Offer something before asking for anything: insight, a resource, a shared contact, a perspective, or genuine recognition • If making an ask, keep it minimal and low-friction: a 15-minute call, a quick question — not "would you be my mentor?" • Absolutely no: "I'd love to pick your brain," "I'm reaching out because I admire your work," or "Hope this finds you well" CONSTRAINTS: Connection request: under 300 characters (LinkedIn connection note limit). Follow-up message: 80–120 words max. One specific reference, one honest reason, one low-friction ask or offer. EDITABLE VARIABLES: • [YOUR_NAME] — sender's name and current role • [TARGET_NAME] — recipient's name • [TARGET_ROLE] — their title and company • [SPECIFIC_REFERENCE] — a specific piece of their work, writing, talk, or decision you have genuine thoughts on • [REASON_FOR_CONNECTING] — honest reason: career transition, shared interest, mutual connection, job search, collaboration potential • [YOUR_ASK_OR_OFFER] — what you're actually hoping for, or what you can offer OUTPUT FORMAT: Connection request version (under 300 characters) Full follow-up message version (80–120 words) Brief note on personalisation strategy used QUALITY BAR: The message should make the recipient feel genuinely noticed — not like the 12th person who sent the same template. The test: if you removed the name, would it still only work for this specific person?