If you reach out to people and they keep ignoring you, it’s usually...
Keith Ferrazzi@ferrazzi
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Oct 21, 2026
~1 min read
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If you reach out to people and they keep ignoring you, it’s usually because they don’t see the value you bring.
In Never Eat Alone, I wrote 4 rules for this, and they still work for any cold outreach today, a DM or a cold call.
Here they are 🧵
In Never Eat Alone, I wrote 4 rules for this, and they still work for any cold outreach today, a DM or a cold call.
Here they are 🧵
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1. Mention a name they already know.
A mutual friend, a company or a school you share.
The moment they hear a familiar name, you stop being a stranger.
A mutual friend, a company or a school you share.
The moment they hear a familiar name, you stop being a stranger.
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2. Say what’s in it for them.
In one line, tell them why this is worth their time. If you can’t answer that, you’re not ready to reach out.
In one line, tell them why this is worth their time. If you can’t answer that, you’re not ready to reach out.
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3. Make it easy to say yes.
Offer to meet whenever and wherever works for them, on their terms.
The less they have to move around for you, the easier the yes.
Offer to meet whenever and wherever works for them, on their terms.
The less they have to move around for you, the easier the yes.
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4. If they can’t meet, ask for something smaller.
A short call instead of lunch, or a date next month instead of this week.
Just make sure you end with a time on the calendar.
A short call instead of lunch, or a date next month instead of this week.
Just make sure you end with a time on the calendar.
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Before you send your next message, check that it has all 4.
If saying all 4 takes longer than 15 seconds, cut it down.
If saying all 4 takes longer than 15 seconds, cut it down.