10 Cold Email Tips To Boost Open Rates & Replies [Practical]

Cold email outreach can feel like playing the world’s smallest violin for those struggling to get a lead. You pour your heart and soul into crafting the perfect cold email, hit “send,” and then… crickets. 

It’s enough to make you want to pull your hair out and curse the inbox gods. 

But don’t give up just yet!  

There is a way to reach your audience and make your cold emails more effective. 

By following these cold email tips and best practices, you can tap into your inner sales maestro and make beautiful music with your target audience. 

In this article, we’ll explore the top practices that will have you strumming the right chords and generating leads in no time. 

You’ll learn valuable tips for your cold email campaigns, like how to write effective cold emails and schedule automated follow-ups.

1. Write An Amazing Subject Line

Writing a subject line for a cold email can be a real conundrum. You want to be funny and relatable and avoid being marked as spam, all in 50 characters or less! It’s like trying to fit an elephant into a Smart car — not easy, but it can be done. 

So, how do you craft the perfect cold email subject line that will make people want to open your email? Well, here’s the lowdown:

Below are some good examples of cold email subject lines to spark attention.

Cold email subject line examples
Cold email subject line examples

In addition to the subject line, the first sentence is also crucial. In most email clients, this will also show up in prospect’s inboxes even without opening the email. So, having an intriguing first sentence can give a major boost to your email open rates as well.

2. Show Your Brand’s Personality

Bringing your brand’s personality to life in cold emails can be a game-changer! People love doing business with brands with unique voices and personalities, so why not make yours stand out? 

Here’s how to show your brand’s personality in a nutshell:

Brand personality examples
Brand personality examples

3. Craft A Personalized Message

Sending generic cold emails? That’s like showing up to a first date wearing sweatpants. It’s just not gonna cut it. Personalizing your emails not only shows you’ve done your research but also makes you stand out like a good outfit on a first date. Here’s why:

Personalization means actually making the cold emails specific to the prospects. Below is a good example of that.

Elements of personalized email
Elements of personalized email

4. Use Call-to-Actions in Cold Emails

The art of the cold email! If you want to hit the right note with your recipients, there’s one ingredient you simply can’t do without — a software CTA.

So, if you want your cold emails to sing like a Shakespearean sonnet, include a software CTA. It’ll provide clear next steps, increase engagement, and boost conversion

Below is a good example of a cold email template.

Cold email template
Cold email template

There are plenty of cold email templates available for you to use.

5. Write an Informative Email Signature

Your email signature is like the cherry on top of your message sundae. Make it count with these tips!

Components of email signature
Components of email signature

A firm and informative email signature is the perfect way to end a cold email.

6. Choose The Best Cold Email Software

The best cold email outreach software exists to help you tailor your emails into personalized masterpieces. Whatever your writing style, the right software can help you soar to new heights of communication and make your cold emails a work of literary art. 

Such a product can boost your response rates by streamlining the whole process. Explore the roadmap below:

With cold outreach software by your side, make a lasting impression on your recipients. This software is built to maximize email deliverability as well. This ensures that your emails will land in prospects’ inboxes.

7. Show Them That You Know Them

To boost your success ratio, craft a personalized cold email. Include some bits and pieces from real life, showing that you know them and their work. Bonus points if you can already refer to their pain point. 

To win over a prospective client or ally, one must first show them they are seen and understood. This requires research: scouring their website, LinkedIn page, and any news about their company for insights that can inform a meaningful and relevant approach.

To make a lasting impression, one must also provide value from the outset. A research report or article, for example, can be used as a tool to build trust and credibility and set the tone for a mutually beneficial relationship. From there, the possibilities are endless, and the correspondence can grow into something truly great.

8. Schedule Automated Follow-ups

First and foremost, make sure your recipient list is on point. Then, and only then, can you start oozing value. But, be cool, calm and collected about it. Take your sweet time, ease them into your world and never, ever be pushy. If you can keep the value train rolling over time, they’ll be all ears when the timing’s right for them. 

But, let me warn you – if you go overboard and blow up their inbox, you’ll be in hot water faster than you can say “unsubscribe.” So, don’t be a spammy McSpammerson, okay?

Moreover, effective follow-up can greatly improve your chances of receiving a response.

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where a deal that was previously progressing smoothly suddenly comes to a halt? Days turn into weeks without any communication, leaving you unsure about what went wrong and if there’s any way to salvage the situation.

In such cases, it’s highly likely that you’ve already sent previous follow-up emails or left voicemails in your prospect’s inbox. However, even if the situation seems unfavorable, it’s crucial to persist with your follow-up efforts despite the lack of response.

Response rates relative to the number of follow ups
Response rates relative to the number of follow ups

As you can conclude from the chart above, the success of your cold email outreach depends on your consistency and following up. 

There are specific days and times that are more effective for sending follow-up emails. According to our Mailshake, Tuesdays have been found to be the most optimal day for email correspondence, and 6 a.m. is the ideal time.

9. Focus on Benefits

Now, here’s the deal – don’t just throw a list of product features at ’em. Don’t brag about how much money you can make. Instead, focus on the benefits they’ll get from working with you. And don’t be vague about it. Specificity is the spice of life. If you’re not clear about what you’re offering, your message will be as clear as mud. So, spice it up, be specific, and watch the magic happen.

Features vs Benefits
Features vs Benefits

10. Focus on Giving Value, Rather Than Selling Your Product

As a cold email, it’s important to keep your focus on the “give” rather than the sale. While it may be tempting to immediately tout the benefits of the product, pushing too hard can turn off potential prospects. After all, people prefer to make their own purchasing decisions rather than feel pressured into a sale

In your sales outreach, it’s crucial to build a foundation of trust and connection before trying to sell anything. Focus on giving value first in your cold pitches. 

By establishing a rapport with the recipient, you increase the likelihood that they will be receptive to your message and ultimately more willing to take action.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cold Emailing

Is Cold Emailing Effective?

The short answer is yes. Cold email strategy is one of the most effective strategies for increasing sales and improving your sales process. 

It can be a valuable method for businesses to connect with potential customers, provided it’s executed effectively. With people spending a significant amount of time going through their email inbox, it’s essential for business owners to prioritize cold emailing as a means of reaching out to prospects.

How Long Should a Cold Email Be?

Klenty Research indicates that the ideal length for an email is 50-150 words, with a maximum limit of 200 words. Keeping your message short and concise can pique someone’s interest and initiate a dialogue. Remember, a few well-crafted sentences are all it takes to start a conversation.

Ideal cold email length
Ideal cold email length

What Percentage of Cold Emails is Successful?

Targeted cold emails have demonstrated an average response rate of 15-25%, according to GMass research.

Which Cold Email Software Should I Use?

Building your own cold email software from scratch might seem like an attractive idea, but it comes with a lot of challenges that can hinder your progress. One of the primary reasons is that you would require the expertise of a technical co-founder, who can understand the technicalities involved in building software.

Their expert services demand a big budget, which can overrun in case of a delay or error. Additionally, you would need to choose a software development methodology, which can take up a significant amount of time and resources. The process can delay your plans, especially if you are running short on time. 

Rather than investing in developing your own cold email software, it’s advisable to opt for an existing solution that has a proven track record of success. 

There are several established cold email software services available that can cater to your requirements, such as:

Overall rating

4/5

4.0

30 day trial for free

Pros

Cons

Best or unique feature

Deliverability

4/5

Email Sequences & Follow-ups

5/5

Pricing & Trial

3/5

Prospecting & Email Verification

3/5

Multichannel Outreach

4/5

Personalization & Customizability

4/5

Analytics & Metrics

5/5

Overall rating

4.7/5

4.7

14 day trial for free

Pros

Cons

Best or unique feature

Deliverability

5/5

Email Sequences & Follow-ups

5/5

Pricing & Trial

4/5

Prospecting & Email Verification

4/5

Multichannel Outreach

5/5

Personalization & Customizability

5/5

Analytics & Metrics

5/5

Overall rating

4.5/5

4.5

Forever free plan available

Pros

Cons

Best or unique feature

Deliverability

4/5

Email Sequences & Follow-ups

4/5

Pricing & Trial

4/5

Prospecting & Email Verification

3/5

Multichannel Outreach

5/5

Personalization & Customizability

4/5

Analytics & Metrics

5/5

By utilizing these cold email platforms, you can save time, reduce costs, and benefit from their extensive features and functionality. Some of them are event free tools, like GMass.

How Many Cold Emails Can I Send per Day?

Cold email tools might have different sending limits, and exceeding those limits could result in your account being flagged as spam.  Consequently, it’s crucial to begin with a small batch of emails and gradually increase the number over time. 

To increase the likelihood that your message will be read and understood, make sure your emails are personalized and pertinent to the recipient. The secret to effective cold emailing is to strike a balance between sending enough emails to reach your target audience and making sure that your messages are carefully written and customized for each recipient.

A good rule of thumb is to start with a small batch of emails, perhaps 50 to 100, and monitor email metrics like open rates, click-through rates, and responses. The number of emails you send each day can be gradually increased after you make necessary adjustments to your email strategy in light of the results. 

Should I Call After Sending the Cold Email?

Depending on your objectives and target market, cold calling may or may not be a necessary component of your cold emailing strategy.

Cold calling can be a successful strategy to break into small businesses or startups where decision-makers are more approachable and wear multiple hats. In these situations, a brief phone call to introduce yourself, request a meeting, and then follow up with an email can be a great way to stand out from the competition. 

Cold calling might not be the best strategy, however, if you’re going after decision-makers in big organizations with strict gatekeepers and hard-to-reach decision-makers. To get their attention in these situations, you might need to rely more on sending cold emails and employ strategies like personalization, social proof, and a clear value proposition.

The choice of whether to incorporate cold calling into your strategy ultimately depends on the demands of your particular business and the preferences of your target market. You can test out various strategies and track your outcomes to determine which is most effective for you.

 

Key Takeaways for Cold Email Tips

Cold emailing remains an effective lead-generation method as long as it’s done correctly. By following the best practices outlined in this article, you can increase your chances of success and avoid common mistakes that many sales leaders and sales reps make. 

First step is to identify the right target audience and reach out to the right person

When writing cold emails, craft a compelling subject line. 

Don’t send a generic message, but instead personalize each email. Try to address your cold leads personally and appeal to their pain point, if possible. 

These cold email tips can help you create an effective cold email campaign that will generate leads and drive conversions for your business. 

Remember to be patient. Track your results, and make necessary adjustments along the way to continuously improve your cold emailing strategy.

To achieve the best results with email outreach, we recommend using a professional email automation software

13 best cold email platforms rated and compared

Erkki Muuga

Erkki Muuga

Erkki has over 10 years of experience as a software product manager and a proven track record in building and growing SaaS products. He has a keen eye for key differentiating factors and spotting truly valuable software features that enable business use cases.

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