Warm intros vs cold DMs
When a warm intro is worth waiting 2 weeks for vs when to skip the warm path and send a cold DM today — the reply-rate math, the relationship-cost rule, and the asking script.
Warm intros vs cold DMs
Status: Outline — full guide coming soon. Get notified when it ships →
What this covers
- The reply-rate math: warm intro vs cold DM by company stage and role seniority
- When the 2-week wait for a warm intro is worth it, and when it isn't
- The relationship-cost rule: every warm intro spends social capital, budget it
- The asking script: how to request a warm intro without putting your contact on the spot
Why this matters for Indian devs going remote
Indian devs often have small relevant networks — every warm intro request is precious. The instinct to "wait for someone to introduce me" can stall a sprint for weeks. Knowing when a warm intro outperforms a cold DM (and when it's the other way around) is the difference between a moving funnel and a stuck one.
Outline
The reply-rate math
TODO — by company stage (pre-seed: cold wins, Series B+: warm wins big), by seniority (junior: cold OK, senior: warm strongly preferred).
When the 2-week wait is worth it
TODO — Dream-tier roles with a known mutual; Strong-tier with a same-team mutual; never for Volume.
The relationship-cost rule
TODO — every intro spends capital with your contact; don't ask the same person twice in 3 months; reciprocate first.
The asking script
TODO — "would you feel comfortable introducing me to X for Y reason" — opt-out language, no guilt, draft-message-attached.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Asking for an intro and not attaching a draft of what they should forward
- Stalling a sprint waiting for an intro that's clearly not coming
- Asking the same contact for 3 intros in a month
Templates / examples
TODO — the warm-intro request template (with opt-out language), a forwardable bio + draft message, and the reply-rate comparison table.
Related guides
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