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:
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.
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.
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?
- [X] [Result] In [Y] Time?
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?
- [X] [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:
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:
@HemingwayApp 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.
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.
@HemingwayApp 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."
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."
@HemingwayApp 7/ Over Deliver On Value
People avoid click bait.
Your hook might seem that way, so follow it up with even more value:
1. Share relevant ideas
2. Show how to implement them
3. Provide real data
The goal is to get your contact to take action and see real value.
For example:
People avoid click bait.
Your hook might seem that way, so follow it up with even more value:
1. Share relevant ideas
2. Show how to implement them
3. Provide real data
The goal is to get your contact to take action and see real value.
For example:
@HemingwayApp 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.
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.
@HemingwayApp 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."
For example:
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."
For example:
@HemingwayApp 10/ Cold Email Example
Now let's take all of the different parts and tie them together into one example!
In this case, we'll be cold emailing the CMO of a SaaS company:
Now let's take all of the different parts and tie them together into one example!
In this case, we'll be cold emailing the CMO of a SaaS company:
@HemingwayApp 11/ 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.
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.
@HemingwayApp @yesware 12/ Want More Advice Like This?
Give me a follow @austinbelcak!
I share deep dive threads like this every single week.
And if you want even more advice, join 130K+ people and get crazy actionable advice for landing your dream job: cultivatedculture.com
Give me a follow @austinbelcak!
I share deep dive threads like this every single week.
And if you want even more advice, join 130K+ people and get crazy actionable advice for landing your dream job: cultivatedculture.com
Loading suggestions...