What is the best cold email?

Cold emails can be intimidating at first glance. They’re not as personal or warm as other types of communication like phone calls or meetings. But when done correctly, they have an incredible impact on your business. And while there's no one-size-fits-all method that will always work, here are some tips for writing effective cold emails.

What is a good cold email?

A good cold email should inspire people to do something with you. It shouldn't just ask them to sign up for your newsletter or download your app. Instead, it should make them want to connect with you for real. You don't need to write this perfect email every time -- but if you're struggling to come up with ideas, try going through these six steps before composing any new ones.

1. Determine why someone would care about your product or service

This is more than just asking "why would anyone buy our product?" Think back to where you heard about it. Was it from a friend? A colleague? An ad? If so, then consider whether those people might also benefit from using your product. This could mean having both a business and consumer angle. For instance, maybe you sell software that helps restaurants run their kitchens better. Then, think about who uses that software and how they use it (e.g., chefs vs. kitchen managers).

If you sell services rather than products, perhaps you've seen ads featuring successful entrepreneurs sharing their experiences. Your target audience may include aspiring entrepreneurs who'd love advice from a person already doing well. Or maybe you offer training courses online. In each case, you'll likely find commonalities between yourself and your customers that make sense to share via email.

2. Make sure your message has value

The most important part of a cold email isn't its subject line or even body text. The secret ingredient lies in the opening paragraph. What makes this section special is how much effort you put into crafting it. Don't just dump all kinds of information on your reader without giving him or her anything useful to chew on.

For example, if you're selling a digital asset such as video lessons or ebooks, give the buyer a reason to open the email instead of simply hitting delete. Maybe you mention previous students who were able to save money by buying your course, or let them know they won't lose out on valuable content because you're offering a free bonus.

3. Use language that sounds conversational

You want your readers to feel comfortable enough to respond to you personally. That means avoiding overly formal terms like "Dear Sir" or "Kindly allow me to introduce myself." To keep things casual, drop the titles, too. When possible, avoid pronouns such as "I," "me," and "myself" altogether. Instead, refer to yourself as "you," "yourselves," "yours," etc.

4. Write clearly and concisely

When you get feedback from others, you often hear it said that your sentences are hard to read. So, cut down on unnecessary words like "therefore" and "in conclusion." Also, break big chunks of text into smaller paragraphs whenever possible. Lastly, aim for at least 150 characters per sentence. Anything less risks making your email look messy.

5. Proofread carefully

No matter how many times you proofread your copy, typos will inevitably slip past you. When sending a cold email, check your spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization multiple times over. Ideally, you should send your draft to another close eye along the way. Even then, though, mistakes will almost certainly creep in.

6. Be patient

It takes awhile to build trust with someone over email. Asking for a response immediately after landing in someone's inbox only increases the pressure placed upon them. Instead, wait 24 hours before following up again. Give them space to absorb your initial pitch and formulate thoughts about it.

Does cold email still work 2022?

While cold emailing hasn't gone away yet, it seems like social media makes it easier than ever to reach potential clients. Thanks to apps like Hootsuite and Buffer, marketers can schedule posts ahead of time so they appear automatically in followers' feeds. Plus, since Facebook owns Instagram, brands can quickly post pictures directly to users' feeds.

But while cold emailing is still alive and kicking, it's definitely getting harder to generate interest among prospects. According to HubSpot, cold email opens declined nearly 10% last year. While some experts speculate that the decline was due to the rise of automation software, others believe the problem goes deeper. For example, they say you probably didn't receive a cold email unless you signed up for the sender's list.

Meanwhile, LinkedIn recently announced changes to its messaging tools designed to encourage engagement. One change lets users reply to messages within two weeks, instead of waiting until three months later. Another feature allows recipients to see replies from the same user if he or she signs up for his or her company's network. These tweaks could help boost responses from cold emailers.

What are cold emails examples?

Here are five examples of great cold emails sent out by high profile companies. Each offers insight into how to craft your own killer pitches:

Zappos: Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh sends a short note thanking someone for taking the time to learn about Zappos and inviting them to visit the site. He doesn't reveal himself, but makes it clear that he wants to continue communicating with whoever responds.

Hubspot: Marketing expert Brian Halligan encourages subscribers to join his mailing list by describing how they'll enjoy exclusive access to the latest strategies and tactics.

LemonList: Lemon List founder Aaron Ginni writes a friendly letter explaining his motivation behind launching the company. Afterward, he reveals that he created a new list specifically for the purpose of reaching out to interested parties.

Babson College: Babson president David C. Matlin asks alumni to apply for jobs advertised on campus. His call to arms includes a brief explanation of the school's mission statement, followed by a request for applications.

Kellogg School of Management: Kellogg professor Adam Grant reminds graduates of a class he taught on persuasion. He ends with a promise to follow up soon, adding that he knows how busy people are right now.

What is cold email and how does it work?

Cold emails are typically used to promote sales, events, and webinars. But it can be difficult to decide exactly what type of pitch works best for different audiences. Fortunately, there's plenty of research available on the topic. Here are four key findings to consider:

Subject lines: Most studies agree that personalized subject lines increase click rates. However, they vary widely in length. Some recommend keeping yours under 60 characters long, whereas others suggest sticking with 80-100 characters.

Length: Generally speaking, longer emails tend to perform worse than shorter ones. At around 500 words, however, the opposite trend emerges.

Timing: Sending emails during certain times of day tends to yield better results. Studies show that morning emails lead to higher conversion rates than afternoon ones. Meanwhile, evening emails generally outperform daytime ones.

Emails containing links: Emails including links tend to convert better than plaintext versions. On average, link-containing emails received 30% more clicks than similar non-link-containing emails.

What's more, according to a recent study conducted by Salesforce Research, email responders are significantly more likely to act on requests made via email compared to other methods.

In addition to helping you plan your next round of outreach campaigns, these insights can also serve as inspiration for your next cold email templates.

Cold emails aren't as popular today as they were ten years ago, but many people still like them. And why not? They're an effective way to get someone's attention and make sure your message gets read. But how do you write one that will inspire readers to open it up and respond? That's where good cold email comes in. We've gone through hundreds of cold-emailing samples on our website to find out what makes a great cold email (and what doesn't). Read on for some tips on writing a successful cold email!

Is cold emailing OK?

Yes, yes, it is. It's just another form of communication used by humans since forever. You can use any language or format you want when sending cold e-mails. There are no rules here — this isn't a competition about who sends the most creative cold email ever. Just be yourself, have fun with it, and keep things simple. If you need more inspiration, check out these cold email templates from LeMList.

Is cold email better than LinkedIn?

LinkedIn has its place. Some professionals prefer using their own network to connect with new contacts, while others see it as too impersonal. The thing is that every social media platform has pros and cons depending on whom you ask. For instance, LinkedIn is very professional and might even help you land a dream job if you know how to navigate it correctly. On the other hand, Facebook is much more personal and easy to communicate with anyone. So, there really is nothing wrong with both platforms, it all depends on you and your preferences. As long as you don't overdo it with either one, then go ahead and pick whichever works best for you.

What should you avoid in a cold email?

Don't forget that you're trying to convince someone to interact with you so try to stay friendly. Don't come off as rude or demanding because the person reading your mail won't feel appreciated otherwise. Keep things short and sweet. Avoid asking questions that require answers unless those answers already exist (for example, "I'm looking for a job" instead of "Do you hear anything interesting?") and stick to the point. Make sure you include a call-to-action at the end, such as inviting the reader to reply back to you via email or phone number. Also, remember that cold emailers usually receive tons of unsolicited messages daily so make sure yours stands out among the rest.

How can I send a cold email without spamming?

The biggest mistake is to bombard everyone with unnecessary information. While it may seem tempting to give away everything you know about yourself right after opening your first letter, it'll only confuse potential clients/contacts and turn them off before they get started. Instead, focus on telling a story about yourself and provide value to the reader. What would he gain? How does his life improve? Why should he care about your product/service? This also applies to personalized cold email examples. Focus on providing useful content rather than making empty promises. Remember that you're not selling something, so don't talk about money or your business model. Be genuine and sincere. Your goal is to create trust between you and your audience.

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What is cold email?

Cold email refers to contacting strangers online to establish contact in exchange for freebies. In general, it’s considered polite and respectful to approach people you don’t know personally and offer to trade favors—in return for receiving something valuable like advice, feedback, introductions, etc. A typical cold email goes something like this: “Hi [name], My name is Joe Smith and I am interested in working together on our project XYZ. Would you mind taking 10 minutes of your time to answer a few questions regarding your experience in X industry? Thanks!”

While cold emailing seems intimidating at first, it actually takes less effort and requires fewer resources compared to traditional networking methods. Plus, once you start building relationships with different people, you might eventually meet someone who could introduce you to someone else. Once again, the key is to treat each interaction as unique and tailor your pitch accordingly.

If you’re interested in learning more about cold emailing, check out our guide on crafting killer cold emails. Or head straight to our blog section to download our free cold email template for job applications.

Is cold emailing OK?

Absolutely. It’s perfectly acceptable to reach out to strangers and request favors. However, it’s important to understand that cold emailing isn’t always appropriate. Always follow proper etiquette by checking references, researching the company you’d like to work with, and never send unsolicited mass emails. Before you hit Send, consider whether or not your target market would benefit from hearing from you.

Is cold email better than LinkedIn?

It depends on the situation. When approaching strangers, cold emailing allows you to bypass the gatekeepers and directly speak with decision makers. Since LinkedIn offers similar features, it’s often easier to reach out to colleagues and friends. However, LinkedIn is ideal for finding jobs or connecting with old classmates and former bosses. Both options offer plenty of opportunities to expand your network.

What should you avoid in a cold email?

Avoid bombarding your prospects with unrelated data. Although you may think the information is relevant, chances are that the prospect wouldn’t care about it. Consider sharing your expertise or offering an opportunity to discuss a specific topic.

How can I send a cold email without spamming?

Be aware that you’ll inevitably receive a lot of irrelevant junk mails along with the ones you intended. Try to differentiate between the two by tailoring your subject line and keeping it brief. Use keywords in the body of your email. Finally, opt for plain text emails rather than HTML emails.

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Cold emailing has been around since at least as far back as the 1960s and 70s when people would send out mass mailers with little or no personalization. Today's best cold email uses modern technology to show your personality while still sending you messages that get results. 

The key is understanding how to write an effective cold email so that it gets read by someone who wants to hear from you. This article will help clarify exactly why cold email works, provide insight into the different types of cold emails available online, and point you towards great resources on writing good cold emails.

Why is it called a "cold" email?

A "hot" email is one where the sender makes contact directly because they want something, like information about their product or service, or money (i.e., selling). A "cold" email, however, is one that doesn't come from a person but rather from a company or organization. It can be sent through various channels such as social media, website forms, etc. So if a company sends you a cold email, it means that they have nothing personally invested in getting your attention -- just their business interests. That said, there are many instances where a cold email may not necessarily be bad news.

For instance, a hotel might email me after checking my credit card details to see if I'd like to book any rooms. The hotel likely isn't looking to sell me anything, they're simply trying to keep track of who stays in their hotels and whether or not they'll stay again. They don't care if I buy them anything. In fact, this type of email could even lead to more sales down the road. However, if you were going to receive these kinds of emails every day, then it would become annoying and unhelpful.

So, what does all of this mean for us, the recipients? Well, let's say we've gotten a very helpful email from our dentist telling us that she needs to schedule another appointment, but before doing so, she wanted to check that we had insurance coverage. We feel comfortable enough knowing that this woman cares about her patients' well-being, so we decide to call up her office to confirm things before scheduling yet another time in the chair. She confirms everything perfectly and we end up having a pleasant conversation about dental health. Now imagine that same scenario played out over and over again. After a few months, you start to realize that every single time you go to the dentist, he asks you if you have insurance, checks the policy number off his computer screen, and tells you to bring the paperwork next time. You begin to wonder if maybe he wasn't being honest with you in the first place.

This sort of thing happened to me during my early years of working retail. My boss would routinely ask customers if they needed assistance finding whatever item was on sale that week. Of course, most of the time, those items weren't on sale, and he knew it. He did it anyway though because it felt important to him to follow up with each customer individually. As soon as I realized this, I started to treat everyone else the way my boss treated me -- always asking if they needed help. Sure enough, this made it so much easier to find products that were on sale!

As you can tell, cold emailing allows businesses to connect with potential clients in a non-threatening manner without wasting too much time. If done correctly, cold email can also save time and increase revenue. That's why companies use cold email campaigns today instead of making phone calls.

How do I make a cold email list?

One of the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs often make is thinking that cold email lists aren't worth building. Even though email marketing is dead simple, a lot of newbies get overwhelmed with its complexity. With that in mind, here are three ways you can create a quality cold email list.

1) Your friends & family

If you know anyone who owns a small business, chances are high that they already have a mailing list. People love to share their experiences with others, especially if they think they can benefit from hearing other opinions. By sending out regular newsletters to your network, you're helping build a relationship between yourself and your contacts. When you need a favor or recommendation later on, they'll appreciate it. Plus, with the ease of sharing content via Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp, you can reach hundreds of people instantly.

2) Leads generated from blog posts

When you write articles about topics related to your industry, you naturally attract interested readers. Bloggers often collect emails from visitors when they sign up for free ebooks or subscribe to their newsletter. Use tools like LeadPages to generate optin pages that capture leads automatically. Then convert them into subscribers using services like ConvertKit or Mad Mimi.

3) Referral programs

You should offer your audience incentives to spread the word about your brand. There are plenty of referral programs that give rewards to loyal fans for recommending your site to their friends. These platforms include Shareasale, Swagbucks, and Gvozdeno.com. For example, Shareasale lets users earn points for referring others to websites. Once you accumulate enough points, you can redeem gift cards or cash bonuses. Another option is Swagbucks. Users can earn digital gifts and virtual currency for completing surveys, watching videos, playing games, shopping, and reading blogs. And finally, Gvozdeno lets you refer followers to your page and earn points based on referrals.

Do cold emails actually work?

Yes, they do. According to research conducted by Hubspot, 80% of respondents reported that receiving emails from brands increased their likelihood of buying the product or service mentioned within the message. Additionally, 68% said they were more inclined to purchase the product after seeing a personalized email than an impersonal one.

On top of that, 65% of survey participants believed that a company’s ability to relate to consumers positively affected their willingness to recommend the business to others. All of these factors suggest that cold emailing is an excellent tactic for connecting with prospects and converting them into paying customers.

How successful is cold emailing?

In terms of success rates, cold emailing has proven itself to be extremely powerful. Research published by LinkedIn shows that the average open rate for a generic email is 10%. But according to data collected by the Direct Marketing Association, the average response rate for a cold email campaign is 26%.

That's incredible! Not only is cold emailing an efficient method of communication, but it's also incredibly effective. What's more, cold emailing requires minimal effort on behalf of both parties involved. Both the sender and receiver must be willing to engage with each other in order for the exchange to happen successfully.

Now that you understand how cold emailing works, you should start putting together your own list of qualified prospects. Don't worry, creating a list takes less than five minutes once you figure out where to look. Just scroll down below to learn more about how to create a cold email list.