Best Cold DM Outreach Methods for Booking Appointments
A comprehensive guide to effective Cold DM outreach strategies based on years of agency experience booking 50+ appointments monthly through direct messaging.
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5 Cold DM Strategies That Actually Book Clients (Tested & Ranked)

Join my free Skool community: https://bit.ly/3CoKv0O Struggling to get clients with cold DMs? In this video, I break down the 5 best cold outreach strategies I've tested over the last 10 years as an agency owner. From personalized videos to voice notes and text-only messages, I’ll show you what actually works to book high-quality appointments — even if you're starting from scratch. Learn how to send cold DMs that convert on platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, and more — no expensive tools need

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Top-Ranked Outreach Method: Unique Custom Vertical Video
Record a Personalized Video
After a connection request is accepted, record a 13-15 second vertical video specifically for that prospect.
Use Permission-Based Approach
Mention their name, reference their profile, and ask for permission to share more information rather than pitching immediately.
Follow Up Strategically
Send 1-2 text follow-ups if there's no initial response. When they reply, send an evergreen VSL and work toward booking a meeting.
This approach is highly effective though time-intensive. With 30 connection requests daily and a 50% acceptance rate, you'll send about 15 custom videos daily, taking less than 10 minutes total.
Sample script: "Hey Farseer. I just checked out your profile. I think we could be a great fit to work together. We actually help [target audience] achieve [result]. I don't want to pitch you without permission, so give me a thumbs up or reply if I can send you more information."
Second-Ranked Method: Unique Custom Voice Message
Voice messages create a personal connection while requiring less effort than video in your cold DM strategy.
Key Implementation Steps
  1. Review the prospect's profile thoroughly
  1. Record a 15-20 second personalized voice note
  1. Use a similar permission-based script as with video
  1. Ensure your tone has natural enthusiasm and vocal variety
  1. Follow up with 1-2 text messages if no response
Voice messages work well for cold DM outreach on LinkedIn, Instagram, and other platforms that support audio messaging.
Practice your delivery to ensure your cold DM voice messages sound natural and enthusiastic rather than robotic. The tone and delivery are especially important when using voice-only communication for cold outreach.
Evergreen Outreach Methods for Scaling
Evergreen Video (No Personalization)
Record a single video that works for all prospects, using the same permission-based approach but without mentioning specific details from their profile.
Evergreen Voice Message
Create a standard voice message that can be sent to multiple prospects, maintaining the permission-based approach.
Personalized Text
Send text-only messages that reference the prospect's profile and offer value without an immediate pitch.
These methods are ideal when scaling your outreach or outsourcing to VAs. While they're slightly less effective than fully personalized approaches, they still produce good results and can be partially automated.
For all methods: "I don't want to pitch you without your permission, so give me a thumbs up or reply to this message if I can send you more information."
The Complete Follow-Up Strategy
Initial Outreach
Send your video, voice, or text message using one of the five methods.
First Follow-Ups (1-2)
If no response to initial outreach, send 1-2 text follow-ups. If no response after these, stop the sequence.
Send VSL After Interest
When they show interest, send a 1-2 minute video sales letter (VSL) or document that explains your offer at a high level.
Booking Follow-Ups (7-9)
Follow up 7-9 times after sending the VSL to secure a booking. Use GIFs, memes, and friendly messages to keep engagement high.
Appointment Confirmation
Once they agree to meet, send a booking link or schedule the appointment manually.
Most bookings happen after the 5th or 6th follow-up, so persistence is key. Always remain polite and try to make their day better with humor and friendly messages. Never be aggressive or pushy in your follow-ups.
Implementation Checklist & Best Practices
For Beginners
  • Start with unique custom video or voice messages
  • Keep videos under 15 seconds
  • Always use permission-based approaches
  • Practice your delivery before recording
  • Follow up 1-2 times on initial outreach
For Scaling
  • Transition to evergreen videos and voice messages
  • Create SOPs for VAs to implement
  • Use automated tools for personalized text outreach
  • Maintain consistent follow-up sequences
  • Track results to optimize performance
VSL Best Practices
  • Keep videos 1-2 minutes maximum
  • Focus on high-level benefits
  • Include a clear call to action
  • Use AI tools to create personalized VSLs
  • Follow up 7-9 times after sending
These ColdDM outreach methods work across all platforms including LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. For more detailed guidance, check out the free community and courses mentioned in the transcript, with an accelerator program available for personalized approaches and step-by-step instruction.