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Is it OK to cold email people?



Is it OK to cold email people?


Cold emailing is the act of sending an unsolicited or uninvited email to someone who does not know you personally. This can be done by anyone at any time, and many companies use this technique as part of their sales process. However, there are also some important considerations if you want to avoid getting banned from using this strategy.

The main thing to keep in mind is that cold emailing is completely different than regular emailing. With regular emailing, you have a relationship with the person on either side, so they will feel comfortable opening up to you and sharing personal information. However, with cold emailing, you're essentially asking strangers things like "do you need help?"

This article aims to give you all the tips and tricks needed to make sure that your emails don't end up being deleted before even reaching the recipient's inbox! We'll go through the basics of what makes a great cold email, and explain why you should never send one. Then we'll look at ways to improve your chances of success.

How do I start a cold email outreach?

Before you try out anything new, it always helps to first ask yourself whether you really need to take action. If you've been thinking about doing something but haven't yet committed to it then maybe it doesn't make sense to move forward until after you've thought more carefully.

If you are going ahead anyway, however, here are three key steps to ensure your messages stand out:

First off, research your target market thoroughly - find out everything you can about them. Look into their social media profiles (if applicable), see where they work/live, check out websites and blogs related to them, read articles written by them, etc. Do whatever it takes to figure out exactly which audience you're targeting.

Second, think about the reason behind your request. Is there a genuine need for change? Are they looking for help in a particular area? Would they benefit from having access to certain products or services? Whatever you decide, make sure you include it in your initial message. You might say something along the lines of "I noticed you were looking for X" or "your company has struggled to manage Y".

Finally, remember that you're trying to reach a stranger, so your language needs to be clear and concise. Don't overuse words like 'you', phrases such as "we", and overly complex sentences. Keep it simple, friendly, and professional.

How do you do cold prospecting?

Once you've decided to approach somebody without knowing them personally, it's time to actually contact them. There are two main options available:

Direct Mail is usually sent via post, whereas Electronic Direct Marketing (or Email) is usually used online. Both methods work just fine, although electronic direct mail tends to generate fewer leads since most people aren't likely to open an envelope full of junkmail. The main difference between them though is that electronic marketing requires a little bit more effort.

For instance, you would typically have to create an opt-in form for each individual subscriber instead of just letting them sign up automatically. In addition, you'd probably have to put together a list of subscribers' names manually rather than relying on a database program. That said, both approaches are effective enough to warrant consideration, depending on your budget and resources.

Asking questions can help you gather valuable information. Use common sense - you wouldn't expect everyone to respond positively to every question, right? So don't bombard your potential customers with too much data upfront, and focus on gathering only relevant details. For example, if you're selling a product or service, you may want to ask about their current situation, problems they encountered while buying similar items previously, and other factors that could affect their decision making.

You could also consider including a survey link in your email, and encourage recipients to fill it out afterwards. Doing so gives you additional insight into your prospects' preferences and needs, and allows you to tailor your messaging accordingly. Of course, you won't receive feedback unless you asked for it, so be careful not to overstep boundaries.



How do I write a good cold email?

When writing a cold email, the goal isn't necessarily to sell directly. It's simply to establish rapport so that you build trust quickly. Your primary concern here is to ensure that you come across as knowledgeable, sincere, and trustworthy. Here are several guidelines to follow:

1. Write short paragraphs. No matter how long your message gets, break it down into smaller sections so that readers don't lose interest halfway through. Make sure that each section contains only 1 idea per paragraph, and that ideas flow smoothly into subsequent ones. Avoid lengthy introductions or explanations. A general rule of thumb is 3-5 sentences per paragraph.

2. Be honest. Even if you don't intend to mention specific facts later on, be straightforward and truthful whenever possible. People tend to appreciate honesty above all else, so tell them straight away if you cannot provide them with the requested info immediately.

3. Include call-to-action buttons. This goes hand in hand with item #1 - no matter how brief your introduction is, you must offer a way to continue reading further. Whether it's a "read now!" button, a link to another page, or an invitation to leave a response, make sure that you clearly state what you want your reader to do next.

4. Stay positive throughout. Always begin your conversation positively, and remain optimistic despite rejection. This is easier said than done sometimes, especially when you're dealing with negative emotions, but it's crucial nonetheless. Never forget that your prospects are humans too, and they're unlikely to respond well if you treat them like animals.

5. Ask for permission/give value. When approaching people for the very first time, it's normal to assume that they already agree with you. But if you really care about building relationships, you shouldn't push your agenda onto others. Instead, show respect by respecting theirs. Try to learn as much as you can beforehand, so that you know exactly how to present yourself properly. Once again, let them dictate the terms of engagement - if they're interested in learning more, they'll gladly reciprocate. And remember that giving value comes naturally to those who are genuinely interested.

6. Follow-up promptly. As soon as you get a reply, thank them for taking the time to read your message. Also, don't wait forever before replying. While it may seem rude initially, waiting too long could cause resentment. On top of that, you'll miss opportunities to impress your contacts further.

7. Provide concrete solutions. Unless you're offering a free consultation, refrain from suggesting vague answers. Instead, describe exact outcomes that would result from implementing your advice. Show them that you understand their problem, and demonstrate that you have a solution ready for them.

8. Offer incentives. Just because you're contacting strangers doesn't mean you don't deserve compensation for your efforts. Consider providing samples or discounted rates, discounts on future purchases, bonuses, coupons, gifts, etc., as appropriate. These small perks add extra value to your overall package, which often results in increased conversions.

9. Maintain consistency. Cold email campaigns require patience, persistence, and consistent effort. Treat each interaction as a separate entity, and strive to achieve the same success rate consistently from day to day.

10. Have fun. Finally, enjoy working towards your goals. The whole point of this exercise is to make connections, and establishing meaningful relationships is far better than receiving meaningless ones. Plus, the satisfaction gained from helping others is incomparable compared to the frustration of feeling overwhelmed and helpless.

Keep in mind that cold emails are meant to be proactive, rather than reactive. Rather than reacting to situations based solely upon gut feelings, you should aim to anticipate problems before they arise. Think logically and systematically, and always choose actions that lead to desired results. After all, there's nothing wrong with playing hardball once in a while...

Cold email is the term used for sending an unsolicited commercial email (UCE) to someone who has not given you permission to contact them directly. They are called "cold" because they have never been sent by an individual before and so their name will be unfamiliar to any recipient.

It's important to note that an email can only be considered as being unsolicited if there was no previous relationship between sender and receiver (for instance, if you're selling something or requesting feedback on a product). If you've already had some kind of prior interaction with them then this may fall under another category such as personalised email. We'll look at what makes up a good cold email below.

The first thing to remember is that although we call them "unsolicited", they aren't necessarily unwanted. It could simply mean that person hasn't got time to reply right now but would like to hear from you again in future. This is why it's always worth following-up after two days to see whether they want to continue communicating with you - even though they haven't replied yet!

If you don't know how to write a cold email that gets results, here are six things to think about including when crafting yours.

Can you get sued for cold emails?

No, you cannot sue anyone for writing a cold email. However, depending on where you live, it might still be classed as spamming and therefore illegal. In most countries, however, it isn't illegal unless the company involved specifically states otherwise. So long as you follow the guidelines below, you should be fine.

What does'spam' actually entail?

Spam is defined as junk mail which contains advertising or promotional material designed to drive sales, usually without regard for the recipients wishes. There are lots of different factors that determine whether an email qualifies as spam, one of which is its content. For example, if you send a mass mailing containing information about your business along with links to other websites, this won't be classified as spam. On the other hand, if you use affiliate links within the body text of an email campaign, this will be treated differently. You need to make sure that any link contained within your email doesn't contain adverts.

As well as taking care over how you word your messages, it's also wise to ensure that you comply with all relevant regulations around email etiquette. Most importantly, avoid using phrases like 'urgent', 'important' and 'need immediate action'. These words imply urgency and are often enough to cause recipients to delete your email straight away rather than read it. The same goes for statements such as'my apologies if I'm bothering you...', 'please help me...', and 'I urgently require...'. Instead, try asking questions instead, like 'do you know how much money you'd save?' or 'would you prefer to work with us?'

Another common mistake made by marketers is trying to sell too hard. When writing a cold email, it needs to feel genuine and sincere. Try avoiding language similar to sales pitches and focus more on benefits and opportunities.

Are cold emails illegal UK?

In the United Kingdom, it's against the law to send bulk email messages to individuals that weren't requested by those individuals themselves. While there are exceptions, companies found guilty of violating this rule face hefty fines and potential jail sentences.

However, this ban doesn't apply just to businesses operating in the U.K. As mentioned above, it depends on where you're based. A number of European Union member states also impose restrictions on unsolicited commercial communications, but none as stringent as those in the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong SAR China, Japan and South Korea.

For example, India has recently introduced legislation requiring users to obtain consent before receiving commercial e-mails. Other nations are likely to introduce similar laws soon. And while the majority of governments across Europe agree that consumers must give informed consent to receive commercial e-mail, many disagree as to exactly what constitutes informed consent.

There are also concerns that certain types of email marketing violate human rights laws. But regardless of where you operate, it's essential that you abide by local rules.

How do you do a cold reach?

To start off with, you should pick out a few key points to include in every single one of your emails. Include details about yourself, your brand, and what you offer. Make sure you clearly state the benefit you provide, and emphasise how it helps improve lives. Use emotive language to engage readers and show that you appreciate each and every customer by acknowledging their unique situation.

Once you've outlined your features, you should ask for a response. This way, the reader knows upfront what type of communication he/she is signing up for.

Finally, keep it short - ideally less than 200 words - and stick to the point. People hate reading lengthy emails filled with fluff, and it turns them off instantly. Also, include your website URL in your signature line to encourage clicks.

Here are 10 great ways to craft a killer email subject line.

How do you cold reach out?

The best way to find out if they respond positively to your emails is to test various approaches. Once you've written down your list of contacts, take a piece of paper and draw circles around each letter. Then go through each circle and come up with possible titles for your cold email. Keep the title simple, and avoid using big words or jargon.

Try using a variety of methods to reach out to your target audience. Here's our guide on the top five social media platforms for B2B leads. We've also put together a handy infographic outlining the ideal approach to targeting prospects on LinkedIn.

When approaching strangers online, it's crucial to remain professional and friendly at all times. Always respect others privacy and never share confidential data, especially financial information.

Remember to treat everyone equally and refrain from sharing details about specific customers. By doing so, you demonstrate that you value your clients and will treat them accordingly. That said, sometimes the best results happen when you break the rules.

Take advantage of paid ads on Facebook, Google AdWords, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, YouTube and elsewhere. Find out how to create a winning LinkedIn profile and learn the dos and don’ts of networking.

You've got the perfect idea and you're ready to go after what you want with all of your might. But before sending out that first mass text or call, there's one more step you need to take. You have to actually send those messages! That can be tough if you don't know how to compose a cold email.

Cold emails are not necessarily considered spam or harassing. In fact, they can be very effective at getting results. And while many may think that this type of communication isn't appropriate for professional relationships, we'll show you why they're still important even if you just want to sell them something online. Let's look at some tips on how to write a cold email.

How do you warm up an email for a cold outreach?

The most obvious way to warm up someone who doesn't already know you is through social media. This could mean Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or any other platform where you interact regularly with potential prospects. If possible, try to include personal details like their name or company title so that they feel comfortable enough to respond back. It also helps to use real-time language rather than formal business jargon. Try using phrases such as "I'm excited to hear from you" instead of "Please review my proposal." The key here is to build trust and rapport with your target audience.

If you aren't sure which platforms to focus on, you should start with whichever ones you spend the most time on. From there, you can consider adding additional networks based on your research. For instance, if you're trying to increase revenue by selling products online, then make sure you add platforms that help promote sales (eCommerce sites). On the flip side, if you're looking to attract new clients, then you'd probably want to expand your efforts into social media channels that allow people to engage with others directly (Instagram, YouTube, etc.).

Once you have a list of relevant websites, start following them. Doing so will give you insight into what content they publish and whether or not they post updates frequently. Then, once you see the types of posts they share, you can begin creating similar content that appeals to the same audiences. As an example, let's say you're interested in writing articles that appeal to women ages 25–40 years old. A quick search shows that several popular lifestyle blogs fit this description. One possibility would be to create blog posts related to topics that interest these readers. Another option would be to find bloggers within this age range and ask permission to guest post on their site. Either way, both options require you to approach them via a different medium—social networking—and establish yourself as an authority figure. Once you've done that, you can follow up with a direct email asking if they'd be open to posting your article on their website.

How do you reach out to cold contacts?

When reaching out to cold leads through social media, remember to keep things casual. While you definitely want to connect with them on a personal level, you shouldn't come off as desperate or pushy. Instead, convey excitement over your product/service and express genuine curiosity about their needs.

In addition to making sure your profile picture looks great, you should always ensure that your bio includes compelling information. Your headline should tell prospective customers exactly what makes you unique and valuable to them. Include statistics that prove your expertise (like numbers of successful campaigns) but avoid bragging unless you really believe they apply to you personally. Also, make sure to mention past successes in your industry so that they know you've been around for awhile. When it comes to how long you've worked in your field, experts suggest keeping it under two sentences. Anything longer than that tends to sound unprofessional and can cause your reader to question your credibility.

Another thing to note is that you only want to share positive feedback. Avoid mentioning negative experiences because they tend to turn off people. They often assume that everyone has problems and that you must be struggling too. Instead, highlight success stories. Even better, share videos of happy customers talking about their experience working with you. These testimonials are incredibly powerful since they demonstrate the value of your services firsthand.

Finally, you should never forget to offer incentives for speaking with you. Maybe it's a discount code for signing up for your newsletter, free consultation, or exclusive bonus material. Whatever you decide, just make sure that whatever incentive you provide is substantial enough to convince them to speak with you without feeling pressured.



How do you write a cold lead email?

Now that you understand the importance of establishing a relationship with a prospect, you can move onto crafting a well-written cold email. There are plenty of resources available online to teach you how to craft an engaging subject line. However, our own advice is to stick with simple wording. Think of every word as being weighed down by gold coins. So, if you're going to put effort into finding the right words, make sure they're worth it. Here are three reasons why choosing the wrong words can hurt your chances:

1. People hate reading boring stuff.

2. Most subjects don't work.

3. Subjects containing keywords trigger automatic filters.

Instead, keep your subject lines short and sweet. Don't worry about spelling mistakes or typos either. We promise that you won't receive a response if you misspell someone's last name or mispronounce a brand. What does matter is that you say everything clearly and concisely. Make sure that each sentence contains no unnecessary punctuation, and that your paragraphs are easy to read.

We recommend keeping your introduction brief. Keep it focused on providing an overview of your business and explaining how your solution applies to them specifically. After all, you don't want to waste anyone's time telling them how awesome you are. Stick with bullet points whenever possible. Bullet points are easier to scan, especially when they're kept small. Finally, finish strong and end the email with a clear call to action. Tell them what you expect from them next and how much you hope to collaborate together moving forward.

As for the body of your email, just like with your introductory paragraph, be succinct. Again, your goal is to capture attention quickly. Don't bore people with too much detail. Instead, stay away from complicated terms and technical jargon. Focus on giving them a reason to reply immediately. Use concrete examples wherever possible. Be specific and honest. Share data showing the impact of your service and explain why they should care. Lastly, make sure that you answer questions head on. Never leave anything unanswered. If someone asks you how you can solve their problem, be prepared to answer.

It sounds pretty basic, but it bears repeating: Always treat everyone you talk to with respect. No matter how big or small they are. Treating people poorly is a bad habit that takes practice to break. Unfortunately, some people have had bad experiences in the past, which causes them to subconsciously hold grudges against companies that mistreat them. By taking the extra few seconds to make sure your email is polite and respectful, it goes a long way towards eliminating resentment.

How do you contact cold leads?

There are basically four ways to contact cold leads. First, you can hire a freelancer to handle the task for you. Second, you can set up a drip campaign to automate the process. Third, you can purchase software designed to help you manage multiple accounts. Fourth, you can sign up for autoresponder services that automatically deliver future emails.

However, none of these methods are foolproof. Hiring freelance writers requires upfront payment and ongoing management costs. Autoresponders are expensive and ineffective if used incorrectly. Meanwhile, software solutions usually rely on outdated technology and feature poor customer support.

Ultimately, the easiest method is to use automation tools. Using a tool that allows you to easily schedule automated replies will save you countless hours of manual labor. Plus, you'll be able to customize templates for each individual account. All you have to do is fill in the blanks and hit Send.

While there are certainly drawbacks to automating your cold outreach, it can be extremely beneficial if you're serious about improving your conversion rate. Automation software will typically charge anywhere between $49-$99 per month depending upon the features included. Some providers offer lifetime licenses, but this usually means you pay hundreds of dollars up front. Regardless of which route you choose, you should find a provider that offers excellent customer support.


Author

Anyleads

San Francisco

We are the leading marketing automation platform serving more than 100,000 businesses daily. We operate in 3 countries, based in San Francisco, New York, Paris & London.

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