draft-outreach
skill✓Research a prospect then draft personalized outreach. Uses web research by default, supercharged with enrichment and CRM. Trigger with "draft outreach to [person/company]", "write cold email to [prospect]", "reach out to [name]".
apm::install
apm install @anthropics/draft-outreachapm::skill.md
---
name: draft-outreach
description: Research a prospect then draft personalized outreach. Uses web research by default, supercharged with enrichment and CRM. Trigger with "draft outreach to [person/company]", "write cold email to [prospect]", "reach out to [name]".
---
# Draft Outreach
Research first, then draft. This skill never sends generic outreach - it always researches the prospect first to personalize the message. Works standalone with web search, supercharged when you connect your tools.
## Connectors (Optional)
| Connector | What It Adds |
|-----------|--------------|
| **Enrichment** | Verified email, phone, background details |
| **CRM** | Prior relationship context, existing contacts |
| **Email** | Create draft directly in your inbox |
> **No connectors?** Web research works great. I'll output the email text for you to copy.
---
## How It Works
```
+------------------------------------------------------------------+
| DRAFT OUTREACH |
| |
| Step 1: RESEARCH (always happens first) |
| - Web search (default) |
| - + Enrichment (if enrichment tools connected) |
| - + CRM (if CRM connected) |
| |
| Step 2: DRAFT (based on research) |
| - Personalized opening (from research) |
| - Relevant hook (their priorities) |
| - Clear CTA |
| |
| Step 3: DELIVER (based on connectors) |
| - Email draft (if email connected) |
| - Copy for LinkedIn (always) |
| - Output to user (always) |
+------------------------------------------------------------------+
```
---
## Output Format
```markdown
# Outreach Draft: [Person] @ [Company]
**Generated:** [Date] | **Research Sources:** [Web, Enrichment, CRM]
---
## Research Summary
**Target:** [Name], [Title] at [Company]
**Hook:** [Why reaching out now - the personalized angle]
**Goal:** [What you want from this outreach]
---
## Email Draft
**To:** [email if known, or "find email" note]
**Subject:** [Personalized subject line]
---
[Email body]
---
**Subject Line Alternatives:**
1. [Option 2]
2. [Option 3]
---
## LinkedIn Message (if no email)
**Connection Request (< 300 chars):**
[Short, no-pitch connection request]
**Follow-up Message (after connected):**
[Value-first message]
---
## Why This Approach
| Element | Based On |
|---------|----------|
| Opening | [Research finding that makes it personal] |
| Hook | [Their priority/pain point] |
| Proof | [Relevant customer story] |
| CTA | [Low-friction ask] |
---
## Email Draft Status
[Draft created - check ~~email]
[Email not connected - copy email above]
[No email found - use LinkedIn approach]
---
## Follow-up Sequence (Optional)
**Day 3 - Follow-up 1:**
[Short, new angle]
**Day 7 - Follow-up 2:**
[Different value prop]
**Day 14 - Break-up:**
[Final attempt]
```
---
## Execution Flow
### Step 1: Parse Request
```
Input patterns:
- "draft outreach to John Smith at Acme" → Person + company
- "write cold email to Acme's CTO" → Role + company
- "reach out to sarah@acme.com" → Email provided
- "LinkedIn message to [LinkedIn URL]" → Profile provided
```
### Step 2: Research First (Always)
**Use research-prospect skill internally:**
```
1. Web search for company + person
2. If Enrichment connected: Get verified contact info, background
3. If CRM connected: Check for prior relationship
```
**Must find before drafting:**
- Who they are (title, background)
- What the company does
- Recent news or trigger
- Personalization hook
### Step 3: Identify Hook
```
Priority order for hooks:
1. Trigger event (funding, hiring, news) → Most timely
2. Mutual connection → Social proof
3. Their content (post, article, talk) → Shows you did research
4. Company initiative → Relevant to their priorities
5. Role-based pain point → Least personal but still relevant
```
### Step 4: Draft Message
**Email Structure (AIDA):**
```
SUBJECT: [Personalized, <50 chars, no spam words]
[Opening: Personal hook - shows you researched them]
[Interest: Their problem/opportunity in 1-2 sentences]
[Desire: Brief proof point - similar company result]
[Action: Clear, low-friction CTA]
[Signature]
```
**LinkedIn Connection Request (<300 chars):**
```
Hi [Name], [Mutual connection/shared interest/genuine compliment].
Would love to connect. [No pitch]
```
**LinkedIn Follow-up Message:**
```
Thanks for connecting! [Value-first: insight, article, observation]
[Soft transition to why you reached out]
[Question, not pitch]
```
### Step 5: Create Email Draft
```
If email connector available:
1. Create draft with to, subject, body
2. Return draft link
3. Note: "Draft created - review and send"
If not available:
1. Output email text
2. Note: "Copy to your email client"
```
---
## Capability by Connector
| Capability | Web Only | + Enrichment | + CRM | + Email |
|------------|----------|--------------|-------|---------|
| Personalized opening | Basic | Deep | With history | Same |
| Verified email | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Background details | Public only | Full | Full | Full |
| Prior relationship | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Auto-create draft | No | No | No | Yes |
---
## Message Templates by Scenario
### Cold Outreach (No Prior Relationship)
```
Subject: [Their initiative] + [your angle]
Hi [Name],
[Personal hook based on research - news, content, mutual connection].
[1 sentence on their likely challenge based on role/company].
[Brief proof: "We helped [Similar Company] achieve [Result]".]
Worth a 15-min call to see if relevant?
[Signature]
```
### Warm Outreach (Have Met / Mutual Connection)
```
Subject: Following up from [context]
Hi [Name],
[Reference to how you know them / who connected you].
[Why reaching out now - their trigger].
[Specific value you can offer].
[CTA]
```
### Re-Engagement (Went Dark)
```
Subject: [Short, curiosity-driven]
Hi [Name],
[Acknowledge time passed without being guilt-trippy].
[New reason to reconnect - their news or your news].
[Simple question to re-open dialogue].
[Signature]
```
### Post-Event Follow-up
```
Subject: Great meeting you at [Event]
Hi [Name],
[Specific memory from conversation].
[Value-add: article, intro, resource related to what you discussed].
[Soft CTA for next conversation].
```
---
## Email Style Guidelines
1. **Be concise but informative** — Get to the point quickly. Busy people skim.
2. **No markdown formatting** — Never use asterisks, bold (**text**), or other markdown. Write plain text that looks natural in any email client.
3. **Short paragraphs** — 2-3 sentences max per paragraph. White space is your friend.
4. **Simple lists** — If listing items, use plain dashes. No fancy formatting.
**Good:**
```
Here's what I can share:
- Case study from a similar company
- 15-min intro call this week
- Quick demo if helpful
```
**Bad:**
```
**What I Can Offer:**
- **Case study** from a similar company
- **Intro call** this week
```
---
## What NOT to Do
**Generic openers:**
- "I hope this email finds you well"
- "I'm reaching out because..."
- "I wanted to introduce myself"
**Feature dumps:**
- Long paragraphs about your product
- Multiple value props at once
- No clear CTA
**Fake personalization:**
- "I noticed you work at [Company]" (obviously)
- "Congrats on your role" (without context)
**Markdown in emails:**
- Using **bold** or *italic* asterisks
- Headers or formatted lists that won't render
**Instead:**
- Lead with something specific you learned
- One clear value prop
- One clear ask
- Plain text formatting only
---
## Channel Selection
```
IF verified email available:
→ Email preferred (higher response rate)
→ Also provide LinkedIn backup
IF no email:
→ LinkedIn connection request
→ Follow-up message template for after connection
IF warm intro possible:
→ Suggest mutual connection outreach first
```
---
## Company Configuration [CUSTOMIZE]
```markdown
## Outreach Settings
- My name: [Your Name]
- My title: [Your Title]
- My company: [Company Name]
- Value prop: [One sentence - what you help with]
## Signature
[Your preferred email signature]
## Proof Points
- [Customer 1]: [Result]
- [Customer 2]: [Result]
- [Customer 3]: [Result]
## CTA Options
- Default: "Worth a 15-min call?"
- Softer: "Open to learning more?"
- Specific: "Can I send over a quick demo?"
## Tone
- [Professional / Casual / Direct]
- Industry-specific language: [Yes/No]
```
---
## Example
**Input:** "draft outreach to the Head of Engineering at Notion"
**Research finds:**
- Name: David Tibbitts
- Recent news: Notion launched AI features
- Hiring: 5 ML engineer roles open
- Background: Ex-Facebook, Stanford CS
**Output:**
```markdown
# Outreach Draft: David Tibbitts @ Notion
## Research Summary
**Target:** David Tibbitts, Head of Engineering at Notion
**Hook:** They're scaling AI features and hiring ML talent
**Goal:** Intro call about AI infrastructure
---
## Email Draft
**To:** david@notion.so
**Subject:** Notion's AI scaling + a thought
---
Hi David,
Saw Notion's AI rollout is gaining serious traction - congrats.
With 5 ML roles open, seems like you're scaling fast.
Curious how you're thinking about inference infrastructure
as usage grows. We helped [Similar Company] cut their AI
serving costs 40% while improving latency.
Worth a 15-min call to see if relevant to your roadmap?
Best,
[Name]
---
**Subject Alternatives:**
1. Notion AI + scaling question
2. Quick thought on Notion's ML hiring
---
## Email Draft Status
Draft created - check ~~email
```