Steli Efti's '2 Quick Questions' Cold Email

The "2 Quick Questions" email works because it makes the initial request incredibly small, lowering the barrier to a response. The goal isn't to sell, but to start a conversation. YC partner Gustaf Alströmer stresses that founders must manually recruit their first users; you can't just write more code and expect them to show up. This initial, unscalable outreach is critical for learning. Before sending any emails, find where your target users congregate online. Spend time in niche subreddits, Slack groups, and industry forums where people are already discussing the problem you aim to solve. The strategy is to listen and contribute value for weeks before ever mentioning your product, transforming you from a seller into a community member sharing a relevant solution. YC Partner Michael Seibel advises finding your first 10 customers from your personal network, focusing on those who feel the problem so acutely they are willing to use an imperfect MVP. Ask your contacts for introductions to others who fit your ideal customer profile. A warm introduction from a trusted source converts at a significantly higher rate than any cold outreach. For outreach to strangers, the key is providing value before asking for anything in return. This could be sharing a helpful resource, offering a free audit of their current solution, or creating personalized video messages that address their specific challenges. This "value-first" approach builds rapport and demonstrates you've done your research. YC General Partner Ankit Gupta recommends charging your early adopters from the start, even if it's a small amount. The goal isn't revenue but feedback; paying customers provide sharper, more honest insights than free users. This financial commitment also acts as a filter, ensuring you're talking to users who are serious about solving their problem. Structure these interactions as a continuous discovery process, aiming for weekly touchpoints with customers. These aren't sales pitches, but learning opportunities. Ask your first respondents what about your email prompted them to reply to refine your messaging for future outreach. This constant feedback loop is essential for iterating on both your product and your outreach strategy. Once you have a handful of early adopters, build a referral loop by making it easy and incentivizing for them to share your product with their networks. Simple mechanisms like moving up a waitlist or getting a founding member rate for successful referrals can turn your first users into a powerful distribution channel.