Asked a stranger on LinkedIn for a referral using a template I found online, and it actually worked

Found someone at a company I wanted in through the alumni filter, no connection between us at all. Sent a short message: mentioned the shared school, said specifically why the role interested me, asked one direct question about the team instead of asking for a referral outright. She answered the question within a day, and near the end of the thread offered to refer me without me ever asking. I think the not-asking-directly part mattered — felt less like a favor request and more like an actual conversation. Interview's scheduled for next week. Template's nothing special, just short and specific instead of generic.