Better First Messages

The job of a first message is not to be dazzling. It is to make replying feel natural.

Notice something specific

Use a detail from the person’s profile: a trip, hobby, food, book, dog, ridiculous prompt answer, or anything that gives you an authentic opening.

Questions with some personality are easier to respond to than “How are you?” and less intense than asking for someone’s life story.

A conversation is easier when your message offers information as well as requesting it. Give the other person something they can ask you about too.

A thoughtful two-sentence opener often works better than a carefully constructed paragraph designed to impress.