How do you write a cold B2B email?

Cold emails are the most popular method of prospecting in business. They're also one of the hardest things to master as a marketer. You need to know what makes a great cold email so you can create compelling messages that stand out from all the competition.

Here's everything you need to know about writing effective cold emails for B2B businesses - including our favorite cold email example, along with some tips on where to find them.

How long should your cold email be?

Your cold email shouldn't exceed two paragraphs unless it has something very unique or exclusive to offer. Even then, try no more than 500 words. Anything longer and people won't have time to process it before they start hitting delete.

But don't worry if you've written too much! Just take out any redundant information like company history or product descriptions. Instead focus on offering an answer to their question. If you've already provided this info in another communication (like a blog post), use bullet points instead of full sentences. It'll save space while still being clear enough for readers to understand.

If your email includes images, make sure they add value rather than clutter up the page. People hate scrolling through endless blocks of text when they could just look at pretty pictures. And avoid using fancy fonts and colors -- stick to plain white backgrounds and simple sans serif fonts.

Try not to go overboard with exclamation marks either. Keep your language clean and focused, especially around numbers. Don't say "4%!" Say "40%" instead. Or even better, tell them exactly why you think they should hire you over anyone else. This way you demonstrate that you actually know what you're talking about.

Don't forget to include links throughout the body of the email to other resources you provide, such as case studies or whitepapers. These often show potential customers that you care about quality content and aren't just trying to sell them something.

What is a good open rate for cold B2B email?

As mentioned above, you should aim for under 2%. The lower end of this range is ideal because it means fewer people will hit Delete without reading your message. But keep in mind that there isn't really a magic number here. Some companies report getting 10% opens. Others claim 5%, others 1%. So don't expect to break into the top three percent by blindly following these numbers. Start by testing different versions until you see which ones perform well for you.

Also consider the industry you're targeting. For example, if you're selling software, you may receive higher response rates from engineers than marketers. Or vice versa. Find out who sends the majority of leads to your inbox and tailor your messaging accordingly.

For instance, if you're sending a lead generation campaign to IT professionals, you might choose to target marketing-related titles within those industries. That way you give yourself a leg up against competitors that only talk to software developers or web designers.

How do I write a cold email for a consultant?

"I'm interested in becoming a client."

That sentence alone doesn't sound promising but if you explain why you'd fit the bill perfectly, you'll likely score a few extra reads.

You want to highlight your expertise and experience, whether it's helping clients solve problems or providing services to small businesses. Then mention specific projects you worked on or events you attended related to your area of interest. Talk about how you would benefit them specifically.

Include plenty of relevant details to prove you're worth every penny. What was the problem? How did you fix it? Did you work closely with someone? Include screenshots and testimonials whenever possible.

It's also important to personalize each email individually and customize each paragraph based upon the recipient. Use their name, first initial, company name or domain name etc., wherever appropriate. Try to speak directly to their concerns and ask questions that relate back to their situation. Make it easy for them to respond.

How do you send a cold email to B2B?

The easiest way to reach out to prospective clients is via LinkedIn. After signing up, head to Messages & Invitations and click Create New Message. Add your contact information and attach a photo of you wearing your best smile. In your cover note, tell them you're excited to chat further about your skillset or what you can bring to your new employer.

Once you've sent off your invitation, wait patiently. Your reply window usually takes anywhere between 3 days and 30 days to appear depending on your settings. Now that you've got a live conversation going, start making offers. Ask them what kind of results they were looking for, what issues they encountered during implementation or what pain point they had been struggling with. Offer to address these areas immediately and let them know how you plan to improve their workflow.

Always follow up after receiving positive feedback. Thank them for taking the time to share their thoughts and reassure them that you'll continue to deliver high-quality service. Send additional proposals and samples once you've gained trust. This way you can build rapport and they'll feel comfortable working with you again. Remember, you never lose a customer, you just gain a friend.

This guide will teach you everything you need to know about cold emails, including how to write persuasive cold email examples. We've also included some free tools that will help you track your success and optimize your campaigns.

1) Write the Subject Line

The subject line is your first chance to catch someone's eye, so it needs to be powerful enough to grab their interest.

A good rule of thumb is to keep each sentence under 25 words long. If there are too many sentences or paragraphs, people won't have time to process everything they've been sent before hitting "send" on the reply button. That means less time for them to decide whether or not they'll open up this message.

In addition to keeping your opening paragraph short, avoid using complicated language. It might look impressive at first glance but when it comes down to it, people only care about results. And if you use jargon or complex phrases, these could actually hurt your chances of getting through to the end user.

Your best bet here is to stick with simple language that everyone understands. Use industry terms (but don't overuse them). Avoid buzzwords like "revolutionize," because unless you were able to bring something revolutionary to light during an interview, readers aren't going to take notice of those kinds of words.

If you really feel compelled to use a word other than common ones, try substituting it with synonyms that mean more or less the same thing without sounding silly. For example, instead of saying "increase engagement," say "boost participation." Or instead of "optimize," say "improve performance."

And while we're talking about writing effective subject lines, make sure they're relevant to your reader. The last thing you want is to send off an email that no one opens due to being irrelevant. A good way to test this would be by looking into how often your keywords show up in search engine

Cold emails are becoming more common than ever before as the B2B marketing landscape changes. The internet has made it easier than ever for companies to reach their target audiences through social media channels like LinkedIn and Twitter.

The problem with this is that there’s nothing inherently wrong with using these tactics. If you have built up your brand reputation online over time by creating valuable content or building relationships on platforms like Facebook and Twitter, then you can use them effectively to introduce yourself to prospective clients who might not know about you yet.

But if you're new to digital marketing or just starting out, getting your name out into the world of potential customers could seem daunting. That's where cold emails come in. They allow you to make initial contact without having to spend money on expensive ads or paying for leads from third parties.

They also give you the opportunity to build rapport with people who may already trust you. This makes your messages feel personal and less like automated pitches. As such, they can lead to higher response rates and better conversions when compared to other types of outreach methods.

That said, writing effective cold emails isn't easy. You need to avoid sounding too desperate (or worse still, annoying) while at the same time making sure you capture the interest of the recipient. Here we'll look at some of our favorite cold email samples so you can see what works well. We've also included tips and advice on how to improve your own copywriting style. And finally, we've put together a list of resources for cold emails that will help you learn even more!

Do cold emails work B2B?

Yes. It depends on the industry. For example, if you sell software, it won't matter whether you send a cold email to someone working within IT infrastructure because no one would pay any real attention to it. On the other hand, if you were selling services related to law firms or finance, sending a cold email could result in a positive interaction.

In general though, cold emails tend to perform better than traditional direct approaches like phone calls or face-to-face meetings. When asked why he uses cold emails, Kevin Larkin, CEO of Credo Mobile USA says that "it allows me to talk directly to decision makers." He adds that "cold emails provide us with a way to engage with decision makers, which helps increase conversion rate and shorten sales cycle."

How do you write a cold business email?

It all comes down to being clear. Make sure you include enough information to explain exactly who you are, what your company does, and what value you offer in terms of results. Avoid jargon and acronyms unless absolutely necessary. Be concise but don't forget to demonstrate your expertise or experience. Also keep your language neutral and professional. Don't go overboard with emoticons either -- it looks cheesy and is distracting.

Here are a few examples of good cold email formats:

Hello [name],

I am [your name] from [company]. I wanted to connect with you regarding our mutual client [client name].

[Subject line]: How much revenue did you generate last year?

This is my first attempt at contacting you via email, so please let me know if I missed anything important. Or, if you prefer, simply respond to this message with your preferred method of communication.

Thank you very much,

[Your Name]

How do you address Cold mail in an email?

When addressing cold emails, always remember that you need to show respect to the person receiving your correspondence. Never assume that they know who you are or what you do based on the title alone. Always refer to them as Mr., Mrs., Ms., Dr., etc.

Also bear in mind that most recipients will probably receive dozens upon dozens of unsolicited emails every day. So don't expect a warm welcome from anyone right away. Instead, try to sound conversational rather than pushy. People appreciate it when you take the extra step to establish a friendly connection before asking for something.

For instance, instead of saying “Let me tell you about our product”, try something along the lines of: “Hey, Michael, hope everything is going well. I'm reaching out today to ask you a question about your life insurance needs. Would you be open to talking about this sometime soon? Let me know if you're available tomorrow morning around 10am EST. Thanks!"

How long should a B2B cold email be?

There really isn't a hard rule here. Some experts suggest keeping each email under 200 words, whereas others say 300. But the key thing to remember is that shorter is often better. Think about it: A short email gives the reader more space to digest the contents, leaving them feeling engaged and interested.

If possible, aim to finish off the email with an offer. This means including a call-to-action in your final paragraph. An example of this would be:

"Thanks again for taking the time to chat. My team and I would love to discuss further opportunities with you in the future. Please reply back if you'd be open to discussing those details. Best regards,"

What kind of content should you add to your cold emails?

One of the biggest challenges when crafting cold emails is coming up with interesting topics to cover. To overcome this hurdle, consider adding relevant links to articles or blog posts that highlight your expertise or experience. In addition, think about things specific to the audience you are targeting. For example, if you're trying to sign up CIOs, consider mentioning recent trends in cloud computing.

And finally, don't overlook the importance of visual elements. These days, many people check out websites only after seeing images. Therefore, don't neglect to use attractive graphics wherever possible.

Resources to Learn More About Writing Effective Emails

1. MarketingSherpa - Email Marketing Tips & Tricks

2. Email marketing guide from HubSpot

3. LinkedIn Blog - 5 Ways to Write Better Business Emails

4. Evernote - Evernote Email Templates

5. MailChimp - Mailchimp Email Template Library

6. Salesforce - Salesforce Customer Service Formulas

7. Gmail Help Center - Gmail Help Center Email Sample

8. KelseyGroup - B2B Marketing FAQ

9. Zurmo - Zurmo Email Examples

10. Convinceandconvert.com/how-to-write-an-email-that-gets-read

11. Credi Response Guide - Getting Your First Response From Cold Calls

12. Hubspot Blog - 15 Quick Tips for Improving Conversions Using Data Science

13. Yahoo Answers - Yahoo Answers Email Example

14. Dale Carnegie Training - Dale Carnegie Principles for Successful Speaking

15. Copyblogger - CopyBlogger Email Samples

16. SEOBookmarket - SEO Bookmarklet Examples

17. Quora - Quora Email Examples

18. Mozilla Developer Network - Mozilla Developers' Toolkit Email Samples

19. The Muse - 20+ Email Examples

20. Buffer Blog - Buffer Blog Email Examples

21. Medium Blog - Medium Blog Email Examples

22. Toptal Blog - Toptal Blog Email Examples

23. Wrike Blog - Wrike Blog Email Examples

24. Facebook - Facebook Email Examples

25. Twitter - Twitter Email Examples

26. Instagram - Instagram Email Examples

27. Tumblr - Tumblr Email Examples

28. Pinterest - Pinterest Email Examples

29. Behance - Behance Email Examples

30. Reddit - Reddit Email Examples

31. Linkedin - Linkedin Email Examples

32. Slideshare Blog - Slideshare Blog Email Examples

33. StackOverflow Blog - Stack Overflow Blog Email Examples

34. Flickr - Flickr Email Examples

35. Foursquare - Foursquare Email Examples

36. Vimeo - Vimeo Email Examples

37. Google Docs - Google Docs Email Examples

38. Wordpress ThemeForest Blog - Wordpress Themeforest Blog Email Examples

39. Shopify Blog - Shopify Blog Email Examples

40. Squarespace Blog - Squarespace Blog Email Examples

41. Amazon Product Advertising API - Amazon Product Advertising API Email Examples

42. YouTube - YouTube Email Examples

43. Rakuten Kobo eBooks Store - Rakuten Kobo eBookstore Email Examples

44. IMDb Movie Database - IMDB Movie Database Email Examples

45. Hootsuite Blog - HootSuite Blog Email Examples

46. Dribble Gallery - Dribble Gallery Email Examples

47. StumbleUpon - Stumbleupon Email Examples

48. Pixabay Photo Sharing Site - Pixabay Photo Sharing Website Email Examples

Cold email is one of the most effective ways to land your next business deal or win new clients. It's also one of the hardest things to master -- especially if you're not used to writing in this style.

Here are some great resources on the topic (including our own guide) as well as five proven cold email templates that'll help you craft yours. But first, let's talk about why cold email works so darned well...and what it takes to make sure it does.

Can you cold email B2B?

It depends who you ask. Some people consider cold emailing only applicable to high-end businesses with deep pockets and strong brand recognition. Others feel like anyone can use cold email effectively regardless of size or industry.

But we don't think either extreme is right. The key here isn't whether you have $100 million dollars in annual revenue or just $10k per month. If your product or service has genuine value to customers, then there are plenty of opportunities out there for cold emailers. There's no reason you shouldn't be able to reach them.

The problem is figuring out which ones work best when you start sending those cold emails. Here are a few guidelines.

How do you send an email to B2B?

There are two main styles of B2B email to choose from: personal and formal. While they sound similar, each serves its purpose differently depending on the company culture, target audience, etc.

Personal emails are much more casual than their formal counterparts. They often feature shorter sentences, less structure and fewer paragraphs. Personal messages tend to focus on building rapport rather than presenting information, while still keeping the tone conversational.

Formal emails follow specific formatting rules with regards to font choice, line spacing, margins, indentation, headers, subheaders, bullet points, lists, tables, images, etc. These emails are usually longer, written in an official manner and include lots of supporting data such as case studies, testimonials, references, statistics, etc. In other words, these formal emails are more likely to catch the eye of someone at a higher position within the organization.

Formal emails should generally always come after personal emails, but you may find yourself using both types of messages based upon the situation. For example, you might prefer a very friendly "Hello" followed by a formal invitation to meet up over a phone call. Or perhaps you'd prefer a nice handwritten note before making contact via telephone.

Formal emails are typically sent through your existing CRM software. On top of being easy to set up, these automated tools allow you to track response rates and identify any commonalities between contacts. You can even customize your message with tags and filters to ensure that you aren't wasting time following up on leads that won't convert.

How do you write a professional B2B email?

When crafting a formal email, keep all content short and simple. Remember, the goal is to grab the reader's attention quickly without overwhelming them with unnecessary detail.

Keep the text uncluttered and free of excessive punctuation marks. Use boldface instead of italics for emphasis where appropriate. Don't go overboard with headings, labels and bullets though; stick to three to four elements maximum.

Avoid overly complicated language and jargon. Be clear about what you're offering and who it benefits. The prospect doesn't need to know every single detail about your offer or product, but he/she certainly wants to understand why it matters to him/her specifically. Keep the copy concise yet detailed enough to convey the full scope of benefit.

Don't forget to provide context for anything outside of your core offer. Provide links to additional information or articles related to the subject matter if available. Include relevant stats and figures whenever possible. This way, readers will see the whole picture in one glance compared to having to open multiple tabs and click around to learn everything.

Additionally, avoid including too many different fonts and colors unless absolutely necessary. A good rule of thumb is to limit any color usage to 10% of the entire body copy. Any more than that and you risk distracting the recipient.

Finally, remember that the person receiving your letter probably didn't spend hours reading it. Your job now is to convince her that she needs to take action. So make sure you leave room for questions, feedback, comments and requests along the way.

How do you write an introductory B2B email?

If you've ever been asked to pitch someone directly, chances are you've already received a number of introductory letters to gauge interest. Many times, these initial introductions contain important details about the sender and their company, but often fall short in terms of quality.

You can easily remedy this by creating your own custom intro email that clearly states who you are and what makes you unique. Make certain to address the potential client's concerns and highlight any strengths you possess as opposed to focusing solely on selling your services.

Your opening paragraph should begin with something friendly, like "Hi, [Name]" or "Good morning", and end with something polite and encouraging, such as "I hope I'm addressing this correctly."

Next, briefly mention the type of relationship you would like to build with the prospect. Then explain what sets you apart from everyone else. Finally, point out how your experience could solve his problems or add value to his current situation.

This approach allows you to establish trust in advance, leading into further conversation down the road. And since you already have their attention, you'll have a better chance of landing the sale once you move forward.

Remember, the objective of your intro email is to create a sense of urgency among recipients. Instead of asking for permission, you're looking to gain approval. If you can present your proposal as urgent, then it becomes easier to close deals faster.

In fact, according to research conducted by HubSpot, companies who utilize intro emails receive twice as many replies as those who do not. Additionally, it was found that intro emails were responsible for generating 67 percent of all lead generation conversions. Clearly, this method is worth taking advantage of!

What's your favorite tactic for getting past gatekeepers? Do you have any advice on how to improve your cold emailing skills? Share below!