Cold DMs have a bad rap, but they remain one of the fastest ways to connect with new clients and collaborators. The problem? Most go unopened, unread, or instantly archived. The secret to success lies in crafting messages that immediately hook your lead.

To make your cold DMs irresistible on Bluesky, focus on three crucial elements.

Lead with Connection, Not a Sale

Why are you sliding into their DMs? If your first thought is "to sell my product," hit the reset button. Your real goal is to connect with them as a human, not a sales bot.

The Strategy: Approach them like a friend.

  • Do your homework: Spend a few minutes exploring their Bluesky profile. Have they posted an interesting thought, shared an article, or created a video you found helpful?

  • Reference their content: Starting with a genuine comment about their work is a seamless, non-salesy opener. For example: Instead of a generic "Hi," try "Hey [Name], that thread you posted on [topic] was super insightful – I'm already seeing results from [specific tip]!"

  • Add value: Briefly explain how their content impacted you. This immediately shifts you from a "sell-out" to a potential peer or friend.

Deliver a Genuine Compliment

Everyone appreciates an honest compliment. The key word here is honest. Generic praise will make your DM feel like spam, destined for the digital trash bin.

The Strategy: Highlight a specific, recent achievement or piece of work.

  • Be specific: Avoid lines like "Great profile!" Instead, focus on something concrete: "Saw your engagement stats climb recently – congrats on hitting [milestone]!" "The new [product/service/project] you launched looks incredibly well-designed." "Your free templates are a goldmine; I really appreciate you sharing such valuable resources!"

  • Show you're not copy-pasting: Your goal is to make them feel uniquely seen, not like one of twenty identical outreach messages.

Prime Your Opener for Maximum Impact

Want to stand out even more before you even send that first DM? Engage with their content first.

The Strategy: Interact with their posts or comments on Bluesky before you send a direct message.

  • Build familiarity: Many creators, even those with large followings, receive limited replies to their thoughtful posts. If you comment a few times, they'll start to notice and appreciate your engagement.

  • Reference prior interaction: When you do send that cold DM, reference your last interaction. For example: "Hey [Name], loved your point about [topic] in your recent thread – it sparked an idea I wanted to share."

  • This approach shows empathy and genuine interest, disarming any immediate defensiveness against another typical sales pitch. You're starting a conversation, not just making an ask.

Ready to transform your cold DMs into powerful connection builders? Start implementing these strategies on Bluesky. And remember, SkyPilot's Auto-DM functionality can help streamline your outreach efforts!