What is a cold email service?

Cold emails are one of the most effective ways to generate leads online. They don't require much effort or time from you as they only need some basic information like name and email address. However, if you're not experienced with writing these emails, it might take up your valuable time which could have been spent on other more productive tasks. But that's where a good cold email tool comes into play. To make sure that you get the maximum results possible, here’s an overview of how to compose a successful cold email.

In short, you should follow a few steps before sending out any type of email campaign:

Research who you’re targeting - Who exactly will receive your message? Where would your ideal customer hangout online? What topics does he/she find interesting? What products or services do they use every day? The answers to all these questions help you understand better the type of person you want to reach with your offer. This way you know whom you’ll send your message to.

Write down your pitch – You may already know what you’d say but putting it on paper helps you stay focused and avoid being distracted by external stimuli while composing your email. It also lets you see clearly what makes sense about your product or service so that you won’t waste precious time trying to sell something that doesn’t appeal to your target audience.  Don’t forget to include your call-to-action at the end of your message!

Send multiple messages – Don’t just give them one shot. Send several variations of the same message through different channels such as social media, newsletters, websites, etc. Each medium has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, Facebook ads allow you to track conversions immediately after people click your ad. On the contrary, LinkedIn sends updates daily without requiring anything from your side apart from having a LinkedIn account. So choose the platform that suits each individual situation and stick to it consistently.

Check for errors – Some mistakes are obvious, others aren’t. Make sure that you double check everything, especially grammar and spelling because typos cost you credibility. If you feel confident enough to send your first cold email, go ahead and do it. Otherwise, leave it until you feel comfortable doing so.

Now let's dive deeper into what is cold emailing and why you should learn to master it.

How do you write a cold email?

Before getting started with cold emailing, it pays off to research thoroughly and gather as many details about your potential customers as possible. Your goal is to create interest among them rather than selling outright. Here are a couple tips to keep in mind:

Keep it brief - When composing your email, remember that the reader is busy. He probably didn’t come across your website or saw an advertisement somewhere else. Keep your message concise and relevant. Focus on one main point per paragraph instead of listing multiple benefits. Be specific and tell him exactly what you’re offering instead of giving vague descriptions.

Use bullet points - Bullet points are easier to read compared to long paragraphs. Use them liberally throughout your email for easy scanning.

Tell stories - Stories are engaging and memorable. Tell them whenever necessary to add authenticity to your content. People love hearing stories and listening to them over and over again. Tell us about your company culture or personal experiences with your product. Show us how your product solves problems similar to those faced by our readers. Give us reasons to trust you based on real life scenarios.

Make it personal - Personalize your message using their names wherever possible. A personalized message gives your readers confidence that you actually care about them. Also, try adding emojis and GIFs to spice things up. These small touches make your communication seem less robotic and far more human.

What is cold email in simple words?

A cold email is simply a promotional email sent to someone without prior knowledge of them or their interests. As opposed to regular sales emails, cold emails usually contain no links to landing pages or signup forms. Instead, they aim to build rapport between brands and consumers by connecting emotionally with them.

Here are some key elements to consider when creating a compelling cold email:

Be honest and transparent - By saying “I know nothing about you”, you show that you value honesty above all. You also imply that you respect your receiver's privacy since you wouldn't reveal confidential data unless asked explicitly. Try to connect with your prospect on a level beyond mere business relationships. Think of yourself as a friend introducing his/her favorite brand to another friend. That way, your recipients feel valued and respected.

Avoid spammy language - Spamming is generally frowned upon. While it works well for direct response campaigns, it’s often counterproductive for B2B. Always remember that your prospects are professionals and have higher standards than average internet users. Avoid terms like "free," "best" and "exclusive." Instead, focus on providing genuine value by highlighting features that set you aside from competitors. Remember to talk directly to your recipient's needs and concerns.

Call-to-actions - Call-to-actions are crucial parts of cold emails. Without them, you risk losing interested parties due to lack of clarity. Your CTA must provide clear instructions on what action(s) to perform next. The idea behind it is to encourage readers to act now. There are three types of CTAs that you can use:

Openers - Openers work great when promoting offers that expire quickly. Examples include discounts, early bird deals or limited times promotions.

Closers - Closer CTAs are perfect for longer term offers. An example includes signing up for newsletter subscriptions or subscribing to a webinar series.

Lead magnets - Lead magnet CTAs are useful when you want to drive traffic back to your site via optin page.

What is cold email used for?

Depending on your industry, cold emailing can serve two purposes. One is to promote your business' products or services. Another is to acquire new customers or subscribers. Let's examine both options below.

Promote your business - Promotional emails are typically designed to introduce your brand to prospective clients. You can use either automated software or manual methods to send out your emails. Automated solutions enable you to schedule bulk emails automatically, whereas manual ones rely heavily on your expertise to produce quality messages. Both approaches have pros and cons depending on your preferences.

Acquire new customers - Acquiring new customers involves setting up a list of qualified contacts manually or via third party sources. Once you've built your list, you'll then start building relationship with them gradually. At first, you'd send generic emails asking for feedback and suggestions. Then, once you have enough positive responses, you can move forward to more targeted communications.

It goes without saying that cold emailing isn't for everyone. Before starting, ask yourself whether sending unsolicited emails is ethical and legal. According to US law, commercial solicitations are prohibited except under special circumstances.

To sum it up, cold emailing is a versatile method of digital advertising that allows marketers to engage audiences anywhere, anytime. With the rise of automation tools, cold email templates and various apps, anyone can become proficient at crafting killer messages.

What is considered a cold email?

There are various definitions of what constitutes a cold email. According to Neil Patel, it’s basically an email sent to strangers with the sole purpose of acquiring new buyers.

The definition provided by HubSpot differs slightly. It defines cold email as follows:

An email sent to a stranger, without knowing anything about them, that asks for a lead.

Accordingly, cold email refers to emails that are sent without prior contact or permission from the recipient. Most importantly, a cold email is never initiated by the sender. Instead, it’s triggered by the recipient either through his/her behavior or activity on a particular website.

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Cold Email Marketing Examples

A lot of people are still not aware that you can use email blasts as part of your sales funnel strategy. They think it’s just spamming or using an automated system like Aweber to blast their list with offers and products. However, if you have been following my articles on how to do direct mail properly then you should know that email blasting does work.

However, before going into detail about cold email marketing strategies let me first clarify something. It's important to understand that most email providers will report any type of email sent from outside sources as spam. This means that even though you might believe you're doing nothing wrong when you start blasting your contacts daily, in reality you could get blacklisted by those who receive your emails. So tread carefully!

This doesn't mean you shouldn't try to improve your open rates but it certainly means you don't want to risk getting banned because of some stupid mistake. If you really want to increase your chances at success here, make sure to follow these steps.

1) Use a reputable provider such as Hubspot, Marketo, Convince&Convert, Campaign Monitor, Constant Contact or GetResponse. These companies offer many features which help you create effective campaigns including segmentation, tracking, auto responders, etc. You'll also find lots of resources online about creating great content so that when you hit "Send" every time you feel confident that you've created a good campaign.

2) Use a double opt-in process. Double opt-ins ensure that only real subscribers will see your messages. The reason why they exist is because many spammers abuse them to harvest contact lists without consent. When someone signs up for your newsletter via one of the methods above, they're agreeing to join your subscriber list. That means they agree to get future emails from you unless you ask them not to. Make sure to check all your signups thoroughly and remove anyone who isn't interested in receiving further communication.

3) Send your message once per day or less. Sending too often may result in your email being marked SPAM while waiting longer than 24 hours between sends increases the chance that recipients will unsubscribe due to lack of interest. Try to keep everything short and sweet. Don't waste valuable space with long paragraphs full of fluff - just stick to the point. Also remember that each recipient has different attention spans. Some prefer instant gratification while others take more time to read through long blocks of text. Make sure to adjust accordingly.

4) Keep your subject lines relevant. Your headline should answer the question “why would I care about this?" People aren’t reading your entire email so make sure to include keywords within your headlines that describe exactly what the body contains. For example, instead of writing "Free eBook", write "Learn How To Create Great Content".

5) Write compelling copy. Not everyone reads your emails in its entirety so make sure to provide value to your readers. Remember that the goal is to convince them to buy your product or subscribe to your services. Therefore, it makes sense to show them how much money they stand to gain if they decide to purchase your product. Think about how you'd sell it yourself. What benefits would you highlight? Would you emphasize the financial gains or the personal satisfaction of owning something awesome?

6) Include links to your website in your emails. Even though you probably won't get a conversion on your first attempt, this is where you can begin building trust and rapport with prospects. Once you build credibility with them, you can eventually convert them into paying customers.

7) Do not overdo it. One thing that you must avoid is bombarding your audience with useless information. People hate feeling inundated with stuff they don't care about. Instead, focus on providing useful tips and tricks that your readers will actually benefit from. Be careful not to overwhelm them with too much information either. Most people won't read an entire page worth of text no matter how interesting the topic sounds. Stick to around 200 words maximum.

8) Always add a call to action. Whether you choose to place your CTA button directly after your signature line or somewhere else depends entirely on your target market. But regardless of where you position it, always put one there. Otherwise, you run the risk of losing potential leads to other channels.

9) Test various landing pages. Before you launch your campaign, test several different versions of your landing page to determine which one converts best. Different types of CTAs can lead to different conversions depending on your demographic. For instance, a CTA asking visitors to click on the link immediately after signing up might yield better results than a CTA offering additional discounts if visitors complete certain actions.

10) Track results. After launching your campaign, track the performance of each version of the landing page until you achieve optimal results. Then tweak your campaign based off the data gathered and continue testing new variations until you reach your desired goals.

11) Follow up consistently. No matter whether you used autoresponders or manually triggered responses, never stop contacting your subscribers. As soon as you finish sending the last message, wait a few days and re-send another batch of messages. Continue repeating this cycle until you've reached your targeted number of subscribers.

12) Measure progress. Analyze the performance of your campaign weekly or monthly and compare it to past numbers. If you notice that your open rate has decreased significantly from previous weeks, consider tweaking your creative elements, adding more calls to action, or changing your approach altogether.

13) Never give away your secrets. If you're trying to generate traffic for your business, it's vital that you maintain control over your source material. Don't share your secret recipes or techniques with competitors. There's absolutely no guarantee that your competitors haven't already copied your ideas anyway.

14) Learn to say NO. Sometimes, you simply cannot accommodate requests from clients or friends. You can't please everybody. If you end up saying yes to a request that conflicts with your professional obligations, you'll lose respect among colleagues and peers. And ultimately, you'll regret it later down the road.

15) Have fun! Of course, the whole purpose behind cold emailing is to drive revenue, but it's equally important to enjoy the journey. Enjoy interacting with your targets and learn new things along the way. Take notes during meetings or conversations and jot down key points. Ask questions whenever possible. By keeping tabs on your interactions, you'll develop relationships with your contacts that will pay dividends years down the road.

Is email blasting illegal?

No. Although it's frowned upon by most ISPs to bombard users with unwanted messages, it's perfectly legal under U.S. law. According to Section 705(c)(2) of the Communications Decency Act, commercial entities are allowed to engage in the practice provided that they comply with rules set forth by the Federal Trade Commission. Here are some guidelines:

The sender must obtain express written consent from the user prior to engaging in any form of mass marketing.

Any email campaign containing links to websites must display clear disclosure statements regarding the nature and scope of the promotion.

All promotional materials must contain accurate disclosures regarding the origin of the advertising content and the amount paid for distribution.

If you're looking for specific laws pertaining to cold emailing in Canada or Europe, visit our sister site for more details.

What is the penalty for sending unsolicited emails?

According to U.S. federal law, there is no fine associated with sending unsolicited emails. The statute known as the CANSPAM act prohibits businesses from sending bulk emails to consumers without their explicit consent. Violators face hefty fines ranging anywhere from $500 to $20,000 per infraction.

In addition, there are state level regulations against sending unsolicited emails. Depending on the jurisdiction, penalties range from anything from small fines up to jail sentences.

How can I legally send a cold email?

There are two ways you can go about sending cold emails. First, you can utilize software programs dedicated solely to delivering email blasts. Second, you can hire a third party company that specializes in cold email marketing. Both options come with pros and cons and both require you to adhere to certain standards. Let's look at both side by side.

Software programs

When you use software designed specifically for cold email marketing, you'll be able to easily customize your template, manage multiple accounts, schedule automatic replies, and optimize your deliverability. On top of that, most systems allow you to integrate social media networks for increased exposure.

Advantages

- Easy integration with CRM platforms

- Automated scheduling functions

Disadvantages

- Costly

Third parties

Using a specialized third-party firm allows you to bypass some of the limitations imposed by software programs. With a team of experts behind you, you'll be able to get started quickly without having to deal with technical issues. Third party firms also specialize in designing templates tailored to meet the needs of individual businesses.

Advantages

- Customizable templates

- Expert assistance

Disadvantages

- More expensive

Which option should you pursue?

Cold emailing has become one of the most effective ways to acquire new customers. However, many people still don't understand how to use it properly or are unsure about its legality. This post will explain everything you need to know about cold emailing -- including some legal considerations that might surprise you. We'll also cover the best cold email services available today so you can start sending your own emails immediately! If you're looking for more information on cold emailing, check out these articles below:

There's no doubt that cold emailing is an excellent way to generate leads. But with all things, too much can lead to problems. So here are 5 things you should consider before using cold email as a sales tactic.

1) The Law

The law regarding cold email varies by country. For example, in Europe, the European Union does not allow companies to advertise their products via unsolicited e-mails.

In Canada, however, businesses have been known to receive fines from the Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL), which prohibits "unsolicited commercial electronic messages". CASL defines "unsubscribed" recipients as those who did not request such communication. While this may seem like a grey area, it seems clear that if someone didn’t want to hear from you they would unsubscribe.

2) Sending Emails Legally

While it isn't necessary to sign up for any sort of subscription plan to legally send emails, there are several options available that make it easier than ever to do so. Here are three great resources for cold email campaigns:

MailChimp – Free Email Marketing Service - A popular choice among marketers because of its ease of implementation. You can create unlimited lists and track open rates, click throughs and other metrics within minutes. Includes templates for both personal and business emails, autoresponders, analytics reporting, and a mobile app.

SalesHandy – Free Email List Management Tool - Easily build mailing lists, import contacts, set up auto responders, schedule outbound follow ups, track opens & clicks, automate tasks, add tracking pixels and more... All without having to deal with complicated software interfaces.

Sendlane – Send Unlimited Emails With Leads From Your Database - Use our database of over 1 million optin forms to quickly find high converting web pages where users are already signed into accounts. Then simply copy/paste them into your template and publish.

3) What Happens If I Get Caught?

Unfortunately for you, even though cold emailing is perfectly legal (provided you comply with certain rules), getting caught doing so could land you in hot water. There are laws governing spamming, and although it's difficult to prove intent, if you're found guilty, you could end up facing hefty fees and penalties. And depending upon the jurisdiction, it could result in jail time.

But don't worry, there are plenty of safeguards built into the system, including anti-scraping technology, IP blocking, and various automated detection systems. Also, just because something looks suspicious doesn't mean it was sent illegally. It's important to remember that if you were legitimately trying to contact someone, then there shouldn't be anything wrong with the process. After all, nobody wants to feel unwanted or unwelcome.

4) How Can I Avoid Getting Banned By My ISP Or Spammers?

First off, don't go crazy spamming everyone you know. Even if you aren't worried about getting banned yourself, it only takes one person to report you to your ISP for you to get blacklisted. So while it might sound tempting to blast every single person you've ever met, it's probably better to stick to contacting people you actually know.

Second, avoid signing up for bulk email services like mailerclub or spamsqueeze. These types of programs offer huge discounts but require you to send hundreds of thousands of emails per day. That means you'd be spending money on sending emails that won't necessarily work anyway. Instead, focus on creating quality content that addresses your target market directly and provides value.

5) Is Cold Emailing Illegal?

No. As mentioned above, cold emailing is completely legal provided you adhere to specific guidelines. Most importantly, you must provide sufficient notice to your recipient(s). According to CANSPAM, "A message is considered 'legitimate' if it includes the sender name and address and telephone number." Additionally, according to US federal regulations, "[a]n individual is deemed to consent to receiving communications for purposes of commercial solicitation if he or she has previously given express permission to the advertiser to communicate with him or her at his or her last known residential or business address, regardless of whether the person has changed residences since giving the authorization."

However, there are a few exceptions. For instance, you cannot solicit donations unless you meet strict criteria outlined under IRS Section 501(c)(3). Similarly, if you're selling products or services, you must clearly disclose that fact whenever possible. Finally, if you're soliciting donations for political activities, then you must register with the Federal Election Commission.

So now you know everything you need to know about cold emailing, but what next? Check out the links below to discover the best cold email services around:

Best Cold Email Services [Broken URL Removed]

Free Cold Email Tools

Cold Email Tools

In order to make sure you get good results from your cold email campaign, you should invest in an excellent tool. The following list of top cold email tools offers various features that let you track what works and what doesn’t.

ConvertKit - A complete marketing automation platform with over 200+ templates. You can create highly-personalized campaigns, set up autoresponders, schedule drip campaigns, build membership sites, offer webinars and much more. Sign Up Here

Mailchimp – With MailChimp's free plan, users have access to 500 subscribers, unlimited contacts, 10GB storage, and no spam. There are plenty of other cool features such as automated segmentation, advanced lists, drag & drop editor, and tons of integrations. Plus, you can try MailChimp completely FREE for 14 days before committing. Try It Today! Get Started Here

Campaign Monitor – For all those who want a simple solution to their cold email needs, CampaignMonitor comes highly recommended. They've got a great interface, an awesome support team, and a generous amount of options at affordable prices. If you're serious about using cold emailing effectively, then this is definitely worth checking out.

GetResponse - An easy to use but comprehensive email marketing software package that helps you craft engaging messages and automate sales funnels without any coding knowledge required. Use GetResponse to create landing pages, lead magnets, squeeze page forms, opt-ins, and even eBooks.

KlientBoost - Klientboost is an online CRM system which allows users to manage customer data, generate leads and nurture them through multiple touchpoints. All data is stored within KlientBoost’s secure cloud servers, giving clients total control of their account