Finding Interviewees: Fast, Cheap, and Smart Outreach Strategies
The Fast Way
If you’re looking to connect with your ideal customers quickly and are willing to invest financially, consider these services:
These platforms can help you find participants in minutes, saving you days or even weeks of effort. However, they come at a higher cost.
The Cheap Way
Reaching out directly is a skill that, when data-driven, can yield excellent results. Start by leveraging your existing network. If that’s not feasible, cold outreach is a viable alternative.
Remember: You’re not selling anything. Your goal is to engage in a conversation to learn from them.
You can use various channels like email, LinkedIn, or other social media platforms. The effectiveness of each depends on your target market.
Best Practices for Reaching Out
Personalize Your Message: Tailor your outreach to each individual. Reference specific details about them or their work to show genuine interest.
Be Concise and Clear: Keep your messages short and to the point. Busy professionals appreciate brevity.
Set Clear Expectations: Inform them about the purpose of the conversation, the time commitment, and any incentives.
Express Gratitude: Always thank them for their time and insights. Offering a small token of appreciation, like a gift card or early access to your product, can also be effective.
Give them Praise: Show that you understand the value of their expertise by explicitly calling it out in your outreach.
Crafting Your Outreach Message
Test different variations of your message to see what resonates best. Here’s how:
Create 3 Variations: Develop three different messages.
Send to 9 People: Send each variation to three individuals who fit your customer profile.
Track Responses: Monitor which messages receive replies and lead to booked meetings.
Iterate: Use the best-performing message in your next round, along with two new variations. Repeat this process until you achieve your desired number of interviews (aim for at least 6).
Elements to Test:
Subject Line: Try using emojis, including the recipient’s name, creating a sense of urgency, or setting a time limit.
The Ask: Request a phone call, virtual meeting, or in-person meeting.
Time Requested: Experiment with different durations—15, 30, or 45 minutes.
Formality: Address them as Mr./Mrs./Ms., use their first name, or even a nickname, depending on the context.
Sign-Off: Try different closings like “Thank you for your help!”, “Best regards,” or “Looking forward to hearing from you!”
Connection Method: Offer a booking link, suggest specific times, or ask them to propose times that work for them.
The Reward: Consider offering a thank-you note, gift card, product samples, or early access to your service.
Effective Opening Lines
The first line of your message sets the tone. Here are some that have proven effective:
“Can you help me…”
“We need your expertise…”
“Could you do me a favor?”
“Please put your credit card away.”
“{Name of Mutual Contact} suggested I reach out to you because of your expertise…”
If appropriate, you can be a little more creative in that first line as well. We’ve had great success with a few of these:
“If I take more then 30 minutes of your time, I’ll buy you a Porsche.”
“If this message sucks, I’ll owe you a coffee. Your call on oat milk latte or an espresso.”
“You’ve been randomly selected… by me, to help me not build something that perhaps you’ll love?!?!”
“This message contains no jargon, no buzzwords, and one humble request for help.”
“If you get to the end of this email and regret it, I’ll send you a gif of a sad puppy.”
“If you absolutely hate our chat, I’ll Venmo you $10 and an apology meme.”
“I’m trying to talk to smart people who’ve been through {something related to your product}. Any chance you can help?”
“You know that thing you wish people would build? I’m trying to make sure I don’t mess it up.”
“Can I borrow 20 minutes of your time to save me 20 months of mistakes? 😅”
Always Ask for a Referral
Even if someone declines—or just isn’t the right fit—you can still turn that “no” into a warm lead.
Always ask for a referral.
Something as simple as:
“If you’re not the right person, is there someone you’d recommend I speak with?”
“Is there anyone in your network who might be open to chatting about this?”
Why it works:
It removes the pressure. You’re not pushing them to say yes, you’re just asking for help.
It gives you a warm intro or at least a name to reference in your next outreach—which dramatically increases engagement.
People are much more likely to respond when they see a familiar name in your message.
And if you do get a referral, don’t be afraid to use it right up front in your next message:
“Hi Alex, Jordan mentioned you might be the perfect person to speak with about this…”
That kind of opening line moves you out of “random stranger” territory and straight into “trusted intro” status.
Tip: Even if someone can’t think of a referral right away, follow up a week later. You’d be surprised how often they come up with someone after the fact.
By following these strategies and continuously refining your approach, you’ll increase your chances of engaging with the right interviewees and gathering valuable insights.
