How to write a LinkedIn opener that doesn’t feel salesy

Most cold outreach fails for one reason: the first message sounds like a pitch. Founders and operators can smell templates instantly.

Lead with a real observation

Mention one specific thing from their profile, post, or product. Keep it short. The goal is not to impress them with research — it’s to prove you’re not blasting 200 people.

Ask one easy question

End with a question they can answer in one sentence. Soft curiosity beats a hard CTA. If they reply, you’ve already won the hardest part of outreach.