Email has been the best for me - mainly because everyone reliably has an email address. Here are a few tools and tips to getting started with email outreach, and then we'll get into some email scripts.

1) Always use your student email, if you have access to one. It increases open rates significantly. If you don't have one, oh well, it might just take a bit more effort.

2) Email outreach is usually most useful for B2B (business-to-business), so the outreach templates I've listed below are mostly in the tone of contacting a professional.

3) If you need to interview 50-100 people (which you should, at a minimum), you're going to need to plan your email outreach accordingly.

A 10% open rate means you'll need to send 500-1000 emails

4) If you need to email a ton of people, I would recommend using a CRM (customer relationship management) tool to track open rates, responses, scheduled interviews, etc.

Streak is a great, free, and simple one that integrates directly into Gmail

5) Almost nobody responds to emails the first time, I've had to follow up with people 5 or 6 times before getting a response and an interview. The main reason I use a CRM for anything is to track follow-ups.

Set a reminder to ping each person once or twice a week

6) Finding emails can be tough, but there are a few tools that make it stupid simple.

I use Hunter.io - it's a free little chrome extension

The script if using a student email:

Hi [NAME],

I’m a student at [SCHOOL] doing an independent study on local [BUSINESS TYPE]. I know you run the [BUSINESS NAME], so I believe you would be a valuable resource in my project and I’m sure I would learn a ton from you.

I was wondering if you would have some time to sit down and talk about your practice with me! I have tons of questions, and I might be able to build a tool that's valuable for your business.

Let me know if you're available, and I understand if you don't have the time.

Best, Max

The script with a non-student email:

Hi [NAME],

I’m trying to create a tool that helps [BUSINESS TYPE]s save [Money / Time / Etc.]. I know you run [BUSINESS NAME], and I wanted to reach out to ask if you would be open to an interview! I'm trying to learn more about your industry so I create something that really solves a problem.

Your input would be invaluable to me, and I might be able to build something that's of value to you! Let me know if you have the time to talk - I promise I'll be convenient on your schedule.

Best, Max

A script for follow-ups:

Follow up, again, is super important. There are plenty of ways to boost follow-up email success, but I don't know any of them, so this should work fine. ;)

Hi [NAME],

I don't want to bug you, but just in case this got buried in your inbox, I wanted to follow up! Let me know if you're open to talking. Your advice on this would be incredibly helpful, but I also completely understand if you're too busy. :)

Best, Max