🧲 Stop Scaring Clients Away With Bad Cold DMs

I get 5–10 cold DMs every day.

Most get ignored.

They’re usually generic, pushy, or flat-out irrelevant. But every once in a while, someone gets it right.

Here’s how to make sure your DMs get answered (and lead to real clients), not ignored like the rest.

1. Focus on Creating a Connection—Not Closing a Sale

Big mistake: Trying to sell in your first cold DM.
No one will buy a product or a service after two messages. When you pitch right away, you kill trust and look desperate.

How to do it right:
Your only job is to move the conversation toward a genuine discovery chat, and then a call. That’s where real sales happen (especially with high-ticket services or products).

Example:

• Wrong: “Hey, I’m launching [NEW SERVICE], it’s perfect for you, want to try?”

• Right: “Hey [NAME], I noticed you [REFERENCE THEIR BUSINESS]. I got a couple of ideas that could help.”

Why this works:
If you’ve never spoken before and don’t have wild credibility, a hard sell will fail. Instead, focus on establishing a connection based on trust. And to do this, you need to…

2. Always Give Before You Ask

Big mistake: DMing someone cold and immediately asking for their time, feedback, or business.

How to do it right:
Leverage the rule of reciprocity. When you offer something first, people are far more likely to respond—and listen.

Don’t ask them to book a call with you just to hear your ideas or tips.

Offer your help first. This way, you can show your skills up front. It doesn’t take much, but if your message generates an actual result for your leads, they will have a huge incentive to reach out for a more in-depth chat or call.

Script Example:
“Hey [Name], I noticed you posted about struggling with [topic]. Here are a few quick ideas I use with my clients—feel free to try them out. Hope it helps!”

Why this works:
You trigger reciprocity, show real skill, and separate yourself from the flood of “ask-first” spammers.

3. Research (and Personalize) Before You Hit Send

Big mistake: Sending generic, irrelevant DMs—often pitching the wrong service to the wrong person.

How to do it right:
Spend two minutes reading your prospect’s recent tweets or bio. Reference a specific post, pain point, or win. Make it obvious this isn’t a mass blast.

Real-world example:
Instead of:
“Hey, do you need help with your SEO?” (sent to a SaaS founder who just tweeted about building out their affiliate marketing program)

Try:
“Hey [NAME], loved your breakdown on affiliate marketing—have a quick idea to help boost those affiliate signups if you’re open.”

Why this works:
It proves you care, shows attention to detail, and instantly elevates your credibility above the “spray and pray” crowd.

Remember:

Your cold DM is not for selling—it’s for sparking a real conversation.

Every message should aim to open a discovery chat, not close a deal. If you get them talking about their challenges, you’re already winning.

Focus on helping, listening, and making it easy for them to say “yes” to a chat.

That's now, everyone! We’ll meet again next week to discuss some more of this!

Feel free to reply to this email. It goes directly to me.

Cheers,

Yannick