YC Partner: Do Your First 100 Outreaches by Hand to Learn What Actually Converts
ycombinator · x · 2026-09-12
YC Visiting Partner Christina (founder of OneSchema, who closed millions in founder-led sales) shares 8 ways to improve outbound:
- Go manual first: do at least your first 100 outreaches by hand to learn who has the problem, what gets attention, and what earns replies
- Targeting beats perfect messaging: find the right job titles, pick the right companies, watch intent signals
- Craft messages worth reading: includes a working cold email example, subject line tips, and improving your LinkedIn profile
- Debug and follow up: use reply rates to diagnose issues, follow up consistently and reply fast, block out dedicated outbound time
- Use customer language: fold customers' own phrasing into your messaging — the slog compounds
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