Writing a card that gets replies

4 min read

A great card is specific, honest and easy to say yes to. Here are five rules that get replies.

1. Lead with what you are building, not your job title. "Building a budgeting app for students" beats "Developer looking for opportunities".

2. Say exactly who you need. "Looking for a marketer who has grown a consumer app" is a magnet. "Looking for a partner" is noise.

3. Show, do not tell. A ten-second clip of the thing you are building is worth a paragraph of adjectives.

4. Keep it short. The best cards are read in one breath. 5. End with a real ask — one clear next step for the right person to take.