Content-First Direct Messaging
Earn a direct-message conversation by engaging before connecting
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time to result
- ~weeks to results
- Steps
- 5
- Confidence
- 94%
Content-First Direct Messaging moves the opening interaction out of the inbox. Research the prospect's recent profile activity, then contribute a meaningful comment to a relevant post. Add genuine value and, where useful, bring another appropriate person into the discussion. After one or more public exchanges, send a connection request that references the conversation. Acceptance is more likely because the prospect already recognises the seller and has evidence of their interest. Continue with a normal conversation, learn about the person, and wait for a cue before proposing a commercial step. The mechanism replaces interruption with continuity: the private message is no longer a cold opening but the next stage of a visible, useful relationship.
Origin
Moore explains this as his manual direct-message approach, particularly for higher-ticket offerings.
Core principles
- 01Research shows genuine interest
- 02Public engagement can precede private outreach
- 03Repeated useful contact makes a connection request natural
- 04Manual relationship building suits high-ticket offers
How to run it
- 1
Research recent activity
Spend a short period reading the prospect's profile and latest relevant content.
Pro tip Use a recent post that you can respond to sincerely.
Watch out Do not pretend to have read something you only skimmed.
- 2
Engage publicly
Write a meaningful comment that contributes to the conversation before requesting a connection.
Pro tip Tag a genuinely relevant friend only when their contribution would help.
Watch out Do not use empty praise as a disguised notification tactic.
- 3
Build recognition
Interact again when appropriate so the prospect has repeated evidence of your interest and usefulness.
Pro tip Two strong interactions are better than many shallow ones.
Watch out Do not stalk every post or force artificial familiarity.
- 4
Connect with context
Send a request that refers to the public conversation and proposes staying connected.
Pro tip Keep the note about the shared interaction, not your offer.
Watch out Do not switch to a sales pitch inside the connection request.
- 5
Continue privately
Learn about the person in direct messages and wait for demonstrated receptiveness before proposing a next step.
Pro tip Use the Cue-Based Selling method to decide when to ask.
Watch out Do not automate away the empathy required for higher-ticket relationships.
In the wild
A consultant reads a prospect's post from two days earlier, adds a thoughtful comment, and brings a knowledgeable friend into the thread. After another useful exchange, the consultant sends a request saying they have been chatting on the prospect's content and should connect.
→ The prospect recognises the consultant and accepts a contextual request that does not feel cold.
Common mistakes
Leading with the connection request
Skipping public interaction leaves the prospect with no reason to recognise or trust the sender.
Automating high-ticket rapport
Bots cannot reliably reproduce the research, empathy, and responsiveness required for a valuable relationship.
Is it for you?
Best for
It is best for personalised, high-value outreach on platforms where prospects publish content.
Not ideal for
It is not ideal for mass automated campaigns or prospects with no relevant public activity.
From the transcript
“I won't even go to a connection request first I will go to their content”
“hey we've been chatting on your content thought we should connect”
“this organic manual way not really using bots is the way to do it especially with higher ticket offerings”
From the episode
Richard Moore on The Laws of Selling