January 18, 2026•Blog
The League First Message Formula That Gets 63 % Reply Rate
Steal the 3-sentence opener that beats ‘Hey’ and triggers the concierge badge fast.
On The League, 42 % of matches expire in 14 days. Cut through the noise with a data-backed opener that references their last trip, favorite podcast, and sets a time hook.
#1Sentence 1: Micro-Compliment on a Detail
Scan their profile for a <90-day timestamp (recent trip, new job). Write: "Just saw your Kyoto pic—did you cycle the Philosopher’s Path at 5 am or skip the crowds?" This shows genuine curiosity and beats generic travel questions by 2×.
#2Sentence 2: Credential Drop Without Bragging
Mirror their interest and drop a credential: "I got lost there too—my Japanese is limited to ordering cold brew." Humility plus specificity signals you’re real, not spam.
#3Key Takeaways
- Keep opener ≤ 110 characters so it’s fully visible on Apple Watch
- End with a binary question to make replying brain-dead easy
- Send between 7-9 pm local time for 18 % higher open rate
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