How to write transparent, human-sounding outreach?

Transparent, human-sounding outreach starts with genuinely treating recipients as people.

Voice and tone:

Write like you'd speak to a professional peer

Avoid corporate jargon and marketing speak

Be direct about what you want

Acknowledge you're reaching out unsolicited

Transparency elements:

Clear identification of who you are

Honest reason for contacting them specifically

Straightforward ask without manipulation

No fake urgency or artificial scarcity

Human elements:

Genuine personalization based on research

Acknowledgment of their time and attention

Willingness to hear no without pushback

Responses that show you read their reply

What to avoid:

Templates that read like templates

Fake personalization (loved your LinkedIn post when you didn't)

Pressure tactics and manipulation

Pretending previous relationship exists

Demanding attention rather than earning it

Test yourself:

Would you respond positively to this message?

Does it sound like a person or a campaign?

Is every claim in the message true?