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Draft Outreach

  • 2.5k installs
  • 23.1k repo stars
  • Updated July 28, 2026
  • anthropics/knowledge-work-plugins

draft-outreach researches prospects then drafts personalized email and LinkedIn outreach with optional connector delivery.

About

The draft-outreach skill always researches before drafting personalized outreach via web search by default, plus optional enrichment, CRM, and email connectors. Step one parses person, role, company, or email inputs. Step two runs research-prospect internally to find title, company context, recent news, and a personalization hook before any message text. Hook priority ranks trigger events, mutual connections, their content, company initiatives, then role-based pain points. Email drafts follow AIDA with plain text only, no markdown bold or asterisks, short paragraphs, and subjects under fifty characters. LinkedIn provides sub-three-hundred-character connection requests and value-first follow-ups. Optional connectors add verified emails, CRM relationship history, and inbox draft creation. Output includes research summary, email body, subject alternatives, LinkedIn backup, rationale table, draft status, and optional day three, seven, and fourteen follow-up sequence. Channel selection prefers verified email, falls back to LinkedIn, and suggests warm intros when possible.

  • Research always runs first; never sends generic outreach.
  • Hook priority: trigger event, mutual connection, content, initiative, role.
  • Email plain text only; no markdown bold or asterisks in body.
  • Optional enrichment, CRM history, and email draft connectors.
  • Includes LinkedIn connection and follow-up templates plus follow-up sequence.

Draft Outreach by the numbers

  • 2,479 all-time installs (skills.sh)
  • +98 installs in the week ending Jul 28, 2026 (Skillselion tracking)
  • Ranked #47 of 854 Sales & Marketing skills by installs in the Skillselion catalog
  • Security screen: MEDIUM risk (skills.sh audit)
  • Data as of Jul 28, 2026 (Skillselion catalog sync)
At a glance

draft-outreach capabilities & compatibility

Capabilities
mandatory research prospect step before any draf · aida email structure with plain text style guide · linkedin connection and follow up message templa · optional enrichment crm and email draft connecto · multi touch follow up sequence with channel sele
Works with
linkedin · gmail
Use cases
email · copywriting · research
From the docs

What draft-outreach says it does

This skill never sends generic outreach - it always researches the prospect first
SKILL.md
Trigger event (funding, hiring, news) → Most timely
SKILL.md
npx skills add https://github.com/anthropics/knowledge-work-plugins --skill draft-outreach

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Listed on Skillselion
Installs2.5k
repo stars23.1k
Security audit2 / 3 scanners passed
Last updatedJuly 28, 2026
Repositoryanthropics/knowledge-work-plugins

How do I write a personalized cold email or LinkedIn message to a specific prospect?

Research a prospect then draft personalized cold email and LinkedIn outreach with optional CRM and email connectors.

Who is it for?

Sales outreach where web research and optional CRM or enrichment improve personalization.

Skip if: Skip for account-level research without a specific outreach draft; use account-research first.

When should I use this skill?

User says draft outreach, write cold email, reach out to person or role at company.

What you get

Research-backed email draft, subject alternatives, LinkedIn backup, and optional inbox draft link.

  • Personalized outreach draft
  • Prospect research notes

Files

SKILL.mdMarkdownGitHub ↗

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)

ConnectorWhat It Adds
EnrichmentVerified email, phone, background details
CRMPrior relationship context, existing contacts
EmailCreate 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

# 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

CapabilityWeb Only+ Enrichment+ CRM+ Email
Personalized openingBasicDeepWith historySame
Verified emailNoYesYesYes
Background detailsPublic onlyFullFullFull
Prior relationshipNoNoYesYes
Auto-create draftNoNoNoYes

---

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]

## 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:

# 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

Related skills

How it compares

Choose draft-outreach when each message must be researched and personalized for one prospect rather than generating batch newsletter or lifecycle email campaigns.

FAQ

Does it work without CRM or email connectors?

Yes. Web research alone produces copyable email and LinkedIn text output.

Can emails use markdown formatting?

No. Plain text only with short paragraphs; no bold asterisks or markdown headers.

What hook types are prioritized?

Trigger events first, then mutual connections, their content, company initiatives, then role pain points.

Is Draft Outreach safe to install?

skills.sh reports 2 of 3 security scanners passed. Review the Security Audits panel on this page before installing in production.

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