Improve your outreach Max Effgen, September 14, 2023September 14, 2023 Startup Outreach Slap an “angel investor” tag on your LinkedIn profile and watch the unsolicited outreach from startups of all sizes and industries fill your Inbox. I do love the hustle and the willingness to “cold call.” All positive signs are that these startups may get some traction for some time. However, nearly all the startups that have reached out to me are making major mistakes. Mistakes that are costing them their time and my energy. I do not even have to respond to know there is not a fit. Here are three examples that have been made generic and stripped of identifying information: Subject: Investment Opportunity Hi Max, I’m the CEO of <Life Science Startup>, a groundbreaking stem-cell-based system poised to revolutionize preclinical drug development. With over 100 years of experience in developing and commercializing stem-cell technology, <Life Science Startup>, is at the forefront of innovation in the pharmaceutical industry. Our platform stands as a testament to our commitment to scientific excellence. We can predict drug efficacy and safety with unparalleled accuracy. <Life Science Startup> has achieved $3M in TTM revenue, securing projects with 50% of the pharmaceutical leaders. To date, we have $5 million in non-dilutive funding and raised $3.1 million in Seed financing. Our $5M Series A to scale up commercially and validate new products is in its final stages. I would really appreciate your time to go over our deck & strategy, as well as see if it’s an investment that fits your portfolio. If you’re open, feel free to schedule a time here: <Calendly >Link </Calendly> Best, <Ceo>Name</Ceo> <Life Science Startup> CEO Subject: Investment Opportunity in <Health Care Startup> Hi Max, I’m the Co-Founder & CEO of <Health Care Startup>, a groundbreaking platform revolutionizing healthcare. Our integrated, web and mobile, platform redefines job search and placement for health systems, driven by our proprietary algorithm as featured in MarketWatch, Business Insider and Yahoo! Finance. The healthcare sector faces significant obstacles, including high turnover and costly reliance on temporary staff. All of this impacts hospital operating margins and patient outcomes. <Health Care Startup> tackles these issues head-on by fostering cohesive, long-term teams and enhancing hiring efficiency. Our marketing strategy leverages a database of hundreds of thousands of licensed healthcare professionals, healthcare conventions, and strategic partnerships. We are actively discussing pilot agreements with major healthcare facilities and are disrupting the industry at 50-70% of the cost compared to our competitors in this $25B market. <Health Care Startup> presents a compelling investment opportunity. With a dedicated team and a unique solution, we are poised for success. We’ve already raised $1.5M, and VC backed. For investment details, here’s a link to connect: <Calendly >Link </Calendly> Sincerely, <Ceo>Name</Ceo> CEO, <Health Care Startup> Investment Opportunity Hi Max, hope you’re doing well! Do you invest in SAAS startups? I’m with <SAAS Startup>, an end-to-end virtual platform that is already disrupting the $320B industry. We have a global patent and a growing customer base. We’re almost done closing our round and would love to chat with you to see if there’s a fit for your investment portfolio. Here’s a link to schedule a time if interested<Calendly >Link </Calendly> Thanks, <Ceo>Name</Ceo> <SAAS Startup>, CEO All three of these examples failed. Failed to capture my attention. Failed to demonstrate expertise. Failed to make a minimal ask of my time. If your introduction outreach has a Candely link, I am not interested. Understand that you are asking me to schedule a time convenient for you when you have not earned that level of status. If you are asking me to possibly invest, I am the buyer and you are the seller. Further, it demonstrates that you will not treat your customers well. No customers, no company. Introduction emails need to be short: No more than 100 words, have a hook, show credibility, offer value, and make a minimal ask. Example: Hello Max – I found your profile and noticed that you have a background in SAAS. Would like to put <Awesome SAAS Startup> on your radar. I started this company after experience at Amazon, Google and Microsoft. While we have an angel round presently and on paper, you might be a fit, would you care to share thoughts on who would be best for this round? Thanks and have a great day, <Ceo>Name</Ceo> <Awesome SAAS Startup> If I received this outreach. I would dig in and respond. Everytime. thoughts