How to Create Value in Cold Emails

I’ve sent 10,000+ cold emails in my career. Those emails have generated $100M+ in revenue. Here are 11 tips to help you 10x your response rates: 1. Set Your Expectations If you're new to cold emailing, expect a 5% response rate. As you improve, you can boost that to ~20%+. It's important to know that the best cold emailers still hear "No" far more than they hear "Yes." But you only need a few "Yeses" to win. 2. Email Multiple Contacts Most people send one email to one contact and give up. Emailing multiple people increases your surface area for success. You never know who you'll catch at the right moment! I personally recommending emailing 5 different people at your target org. 3. Your Subject Line Data from multiple sources shows that subject lines with the highest response rates: - Are 2-4 words long (Boomerang) - Ask a question (Yesware) - Are ambiguous (Boomerang) My favorites are: - Quick Question? - Mentioning You? - [Result] In [Y] Time? 4. Write Like A 3rd Grader Data shows that emails written at a 3rd grade level see the highest response rates. That means: ✅ Use plain, simple language ❌ Avoid complex words and jargon I love HemingwayApp's Readability score for this. 5. Be Positive! Data also shows that a positive tone can boost response rates by ~15%. Aim to have a casual, positive vibe in your writing. To get there, pretend like you're writing this email to a friend. Also try to write the way that you speak. 6. Use A 3 Second Hook Most emails start with something like: "Hope you're having a good day!" That's boring. Instead, hook your contact with a personalized, value-driven statement. Ex: "Hey Tim, I want to help [Company] 3x your CVR in 30 days, below are 3 ways to do it." 7. Over Deliver On Value People avoid click bait. Your hook might seem that way, so follow it up with even more value: - Share relevant ideas - Show how to implement them - Provide real data The goal is to get your contact to take action and see real value. 8. Use Social Proof Social proof is one of the most effective trust builders. Weave it into your email in the form of: - Mentioning a mutual contact - Linking to case studies - Including testimonials The key is to do this naturally, not like a brand marketing email. 9. Use An "Exit Clause" No one wants to feel pressured. Everyone wants control. Tap into both by ending your email with an "Exit Clause." This is a statement when you recognize their time and give them an easy "out." 10. Follow Up! 44% of cold emailers give up after the first attempt. But 60% of prospects say "No" four times before they say "Yes." If you want to win? You need to follow up! I personally recommend four follow ups every 5 business days. Use Yesware to automate these.

I analyzed 1,000+ cold emails. Here's what actually works: Forget gurus and "secret formulas." The best cold email messaging comes from understanding your buyers and practicing relentlessly. 5 key elements of high-performing cold emails: 1. Personalization that shows you've done your homework • Reference a recent company announcement or LinkedIn post • Mention a specific challenge in their industry 2. Clear value proposition in the first 2 sentences • What specific problem can you solve? • Quantify the potential impact (e.g., "10% revenue boost in 30 days") 3. Social proof tailored to their situation • Name-drop similar companies you've helped • Share a relevant case study snippet 4. Clear, low-friction call-to-action • Avoid asking for call or demo in the first email • Offer a valuable resource (no strings attached) 5. Brevity and scannable format • 3-5 short paragraphs max • Use bullet points for easy reading The real "secret"? Continuous testing and improvement. No AI or guru can replace hands-on experience with your specific audience. #ColdEmailing #InsideSales #B2BSales #SaaSales

Your prospect has 147 unread emails. Yours just got added to the pile. What makes them open YOURS instead of the other 146? After sending thousands of cold emails and generating over $700M in sales throughout my career, I've identified the #1 mistake destroying most cold outreach: ZERO RIGHT PERSONALIZATION. Most reps "spray and pray". Sending the same generic template to 1,000 prospects hoping something sticks. Then they wonder why their response rate is 0.5%. Here's the cold email framework that consistently gets 20%+ response rates:  → Make your subject line about THEM, not you. Use recent news, achievements, or common pain points to spark curiosity. Example: "Your Inc 5000 ranking" or "Austin expansion" 1. Keep your email so simple it doesn't require scrolling. It MUST be mobile friendly, as 68% of executives check email primarily on their phones. 2. Use this 3 part structure:  → Personal opener: "Hey [Name], [specific personalization about them]"  → Show understanding: "In chatting with other [title] in [industry], they're typically running into [pain point]"  → Soft CTA: "Got a few ideas that might help. Open to chat?" 3. Research these personalization sources: • Company website (values, mission page) • Press releases • LinkedIn activity • Earnings transcripts (for public companies) • Review sites The hardest territory to manage isn't your CRM. It's the six inches between your prospect's ears. They don't care about your product. They care about THEMSELVES. Recently, one of my clients was struggling with a 1.2% response rate on cold emails. We implemented this framework, and within 2 weeks they hit 17.4% - with prospects actually THANKING them for the personalized outreach. Find your sweet spot on the personalization spectrum. You can't do hyper personalized video for everyone, but you can't blast the same generic template either. — Hey reps… want another cold email strategy? Go here: https://lnkd.in/gKSzmCda

I’ve trained hundreds of sales reps over my career. Here’s the exact framework I use to write good cold emails from start to finish: 1. Lead with the pain not the pitch The goal of a cold email is to start a conversation, not close the deal. It’s to reflect back a real pain your buyer is already feeling often before they’ve articulated it themselves. No one cares about your product. Especially not in the first touch. They care about themselves and their problems. The biggest mistake I see reps make is trying to close too early. They shove value props, case studies, feature sets, and “we help companies like…” I always come back to this: “No pain, no gain, no demo train.” You’re not here to educate. You’re here to trigger recognition. To make them nod and go: “Yeah, we’re feeling that.” 1. Write like a human The best cold emails don’t have long intros. No “hope this finds you well.” Just a clear, honest attempt to connect over something they care about. Let’s say we’re targeting agencies running 10+ client accounts. Here’s how I’d start: “Hey — I saw you’re managing multiple clients. Curious if you’ve had to deal with deliverability issues lately, especially with the new Google/Microsoft changes. Is this on your radar?” That’s it. No pitch. No product. Just a relevant question that hits a live pain. You don’t need clever. You need to be clear. 1. Structure matters (but keep it stupid simple) I’m not into formulas. You don’t need a 7-step framework to write a good email. You need to understand the buyer and speak to them like a peer. Think about it like this: Line 1: Show you’ve done your homework. Line 2: Bring up a real, relevant pain. Line 3: Ask a question that invites a reply — not “yes.” If your email looks like a blog post, you’re doing it wrong. The goal isn’t to explain. The goal is to start a conversation. 1. Use follow-ups to build narrative (not nag) Most follow-ups sound like this: “Just bumping this to the top of your inbox.” “Not sure if you saw my last message.” Useless. Instead, think of your cold email sequence as a way to diagnose pain over time. Email 1 brings up the initial problem. Email 2 digs into what happens if it doesn’t get solved. Email 3 introduces that you might have a solution, if they’re open to it. Each message earns attention and adds value. Follow-ups shouldn’t be annoying. TAKEAWAY Conversations > conversions. Relevancy always wins.

When the first investor replied, I thought it was a fluke. By the third, I realized it’s a repeatable skill. Cold emails aren’t about the writing. They’re about why someone says yes. I wrote to Tony Fadell (Nest), Aileen Lee (Cowboy Ventures), and Gokul Rajaram (Doordash board). All three replied. Not because I had a blue check. Not because I went to Stanford. But because I knew how to craft an offer that respected their time. 4 principles that got top-tier investors to respond: 1. Show competence in one line Bad: “Hi, I’m Mark.” Better: “Hi, I’m Mark — ex-Stripe PM, now building dev tools.” Big names aren’t bragging — they’re filters. 2. Make your ask clear What do you want — feedback, funding, intros? And why should they care? I wasn’t just pitching an idea. I was showing them how they win if I win. 3. Be honest about your motive Skip the fluff. Say: “I’ve followed your work since Square, and this startup is built on everything I learned from you.” Openness beats polish. 4. Go beyond the email I didn’t just write. I shared a 3-page memo, a live prototype, and deep market research. It took me 10 hours. It was worth it. When you give 10x more than expected — people notice. Lesson: Cold emails aren’t persuasion tools. They’re signal tests: Do you understand what this person actually values? If I had to do it all over again, I’d spend 90% of the time crafting the offer, and just 10% writing the email. The words don’t matter if the deal isn’t exciting. It’s like Pokémon cards: If your email is a first-edition Charizard, you don’t need to sell it. You just need to show it.

I've sent 8,200+ cold emails to strangers, and it has completely changed my life. These have landed me jobs, customers, investors, hires, business ideas, and more. Here's my 4-step framework to writing top 1% cold emails: 1/ The Opener 💌 Your first line needs to be about THEM, not you. It has to be incredibly specific, well-researched, and honest (don't fake it). Show that you've done more research vs. the last 100 people who emailed them. Example 1: "Hey [name] — I loved reading your blog on X, and appreciated your story in growing ABC co from P to Q over the last 3 years. You've inspired me to launch my own company someday." Do this well, and you're already in the top 1% of emails they receive. 2. The Quick Intro 👋 Write <20 words to introduce yourself and what you do. It needs to be dead-simple English (i.e. Grade 6 level on Hemingway App). Be direct and honest, don't oversell yourself. Example 1: "I'm Naitik – a 2nd year design student from XYZ University." Example 2: "I'm Naitik and I'm building a new no-code tool for designers." 3. The Context 💭 This is the crux of your email — give context on why you're reaching out, before making your ask. Limit it to 1-2 short and clear sentences. Bonus: The more specific value you can GIVE in your first email, the more likely you are to hear back. Example 1: Reaching out for a job as a designer? Give them 1-2 quick tips to improve their website, and how it could make them more revenue. Example 2: Reaching out someone for advice? Give them concrete context on your situation, and the specific decision you need advice on. Example 3: Reaching out to hire someone? Give them 2 ways that you can support their career & goals. 4. The Ask 🎯 This is your main call-to-action and it has to be extremely specific. The catch? You can't request anything vague: "a quick call" or "meeting to pick your brain". You don't need a phone call or meeting in 99% of the cases. Be permission-less and make your ask over email. The more specific your request, the higher the chances of you hearing back. Example 1: "Can I help you as a design intern to improve your website in the next 30 days?" Example 2: (after sharing context & the decision you need advice on) "Would you go with option A or B in this scenario and why?" Example 3: If you really need a meeting, "Can I get 10 mins of your time to ask how you'd approach job hunting if you were a student today?" That's all. Repeat this 100x, and I guarantee you will 1) get responses, and 2) open up opportunities you never thought you had access to. PS: I have a lot more to share on this, so I've recorded a deep-dive video walkthrough on how to write stellar, top 1% cold emails. If you're curious, comment "Cold Email" and I'll DM it to you by end of week. --- This is Day 8 of 30 of my writing challenge — everyday I'm sharing my ups & downs, challenges & learnings as a founder scaling StartupBake to $1M/yr in revenue. Follow along if you'd like :)

Most cold emails get <1% reply rates. Mine get 10%. Here's why yours are failing: I run a 34-person agency and have tested every cold email "hack" out there. Most don't work. Here's how I actually write cold emails that get replies... and the 3 rules that changed EVERYTHING ↓ ✅ Emails that start with real triggers I get emails like "Saw you're expanding your team based on your recent LinkedIn post about hiring." That's a real trigger. They saw something specific I did. Compare that to "I noticed you work in sales", - which could apply to 10 million people. Pro Tip: Use Clay to track job changes, funding announcements, or social posts. ✅ Emails that name pain + solution immediately "Hiring 10 new SDRs usually means 6-month ramp time is killing your quota attainment." They connected my trigger to a specific pain I'm probably feeling. Then: "We helped [Similar Company] cut ramp time to 6 weeks using our onboarding system." Solution + proof in one sentence. ✅ Emails that give 100% value upfront "They increased quota attainment 73% in Q1 by implementing our 3-week sprint methodology." Full value. Real numbers. Specific outcome. Stop holding back value, thinking it will book you a meeting. ❌ Generic template emails "Hope you're doing well" emails get deleted instantly. If I can tell you, copy-pasted the same message to 100 people, I'm out. ❌ Emails asking for time on the first message "Do you have 15 minutes for a quick call?" No context. No value. Just asking for my time, will get ignored every time. ❌ Emails without specific proof "We help companies scale their sales teams." Cool story. So do 10,000 other agencies. → Where's the proof? → Which companies? → What results? Here's my actual template: "Hi [Name], Saw you're [specific trigger]. Usually, that means [pain point]. We helped [Company] go from [before] to [after] using [method]. They saw [specific result] in [timeframe]. Mind if I share the 3-step process we used? Best, Alex" Everyone OVERTHINKS cold email. They think they need perfect subject lines or AI personalization tools. But if you nail trigger + pain + value, nothing else matters. The pain has to connect to their trigger logically. And the value has to be specific. → Real companies → Real numbers → Real results One more thing: Free work beats everything. "Mind if I build you a custom lead list for your new SDR team and send it over?" That gets replies every time, because you're solving their problem before they even ask. Bottom line: Stop trying to be clever. Start being helpful. When your email actually helps someone, they want to talk to you. 🎥 Want to see me how I write these emails? I break down my entire cold email process (with real examples) in last week's YouTube video. Link in the comments 👇

After writing cold emails for 2000+ businesses and booking 1000s of sales calls, I'm sharing my best copy tips to help you book more meetings: 1. Keep it short Your emails shouldn't require any work or over-thinking from the prospect. Keep it to 50 words or less - if they can't read it in ~5 seconds, you've already lost them. 2. Relevancy and specificity "I help watch brands in the UK" will always outperform "I help brands." The market needs to see real value, not generic statements. 3. Switch up your CTAs Skip the boring "hop on a call" pitch. Instead: "Mind if I send a 2-minute Loom explaining how we do this?" "Worth a chat to go over how you can achieve something similar?" 4. The 2:1 rule For every 1 thing you say about yourself, say 2 things about your prospect. People are naturally selfish - they care more about what you can do for them. 5. Focus on getting replies first Cold email is NOT for closing deals.  Your goal is to kick start a conversation and take your prospect from cold to warm then book a call. 6. Benefits over services Don't pitch Facebook ads - pitch the 55% increase in website conversions you delivered for your last client. 7. Stand out from competitors If everyone's pitching "more sales" with influencer marketing, position yourself as "making you go viral." 8. Keep your sequence flowing Your follow-ups should build on previous emails. Keep your offer and messaging consistent throughout.

This cold email forgot the most important rule: Every message needs to tell a story. Here's how I'd rewrite it to captivate the reader. 1/ Open with conflict Don't start with "I love cold emails." Start with the struggle: "You've tried everything to reach new customers. Cold calls. Drip campaigns. Even carrier pigeons. (Okay, maybe not that last one.)" Now you've set the stage for your solution. 2/ Make the reader the hero Instead of bragging about your stats, focus on their problems and needs: "Imagine opening your inbox to find it flooded with responses. Not just any responses —-qualified leads, eager to talk." You've given them a glimpse of a better future. 3/ Show the path forward Replace the vague call-to-action with a clear next step: "In our 15-minute call, I'll reveal the exact strategy that's filling inboxes with qualified leads." 4/ End with possibility, not pressure Ditch the "here's my LinkedIn" or “book a consultation” close. Leave them with a vision: "Ready to turn your marketing into a page-turner? Let's write the next chapter together." A great story doesn't sell. It invites the reader to be part of something bigger. That's how I’d turn this cold email into a story, and the story into a warm conversation.

Stop treating your prospects like a mass audience. They’ll notice. Shift from a "1 to many" mindset to genuine 1-1 communication. Your emails should feel like they were crafted specifically for each recipient Not just another mass outreach attempt. Here are 9 ways to improve your cold emails: 1️⃣ Research the prospect’s industry Understand the specific challenges and trends in their industry. Mention these in your email to show you’ve done your homework. 2️⃣ Address their pain points Identify what keeps them up at night. Tailor your message to address these issues directly Offering a solution that fits their needs. 3️⃣ Highlight common interests Find common ground. Whether you went to the same school or have a mutual connection. Mentioning this can make your email stand out. 4️⃣ Reference their work Mention a recent project or achievement of theirs. This shows you’re genuinely interested in them. Not just looking to sell something. 5️⃣ Keep it short and sweet No one has time to read a novel. Be concise and get to the point quickly. Respect their time. 6️⃣ Follow up thoughtfully If you don’t get a response, send a follow-up email. Reference your previous email. Add something new to keep the conversation going. 7️⃣ Be authentic People can sense when you’re not being genuine. Let your personality shine in your emails. Be yourself. 8️⃣ Offer value Give them a reason to respond. Offer something of value to them. Whether it’s a free resource, advice, or some work you did. 9️⃣ End with a clear Call to Action Tell them exactly what you want them to do next. Make it clear and easy for them to respond. Today's outbound isn't about mass anymore. We have the skills and tools to do 1-to-1 email, at scale. And that's how you should do it too 👌