We’ve round up the top cold email template and examples in use today, and give our thoughts on the good, bad, and downright ugly parts of each.
Cold Email Categories:
- General Cold Email Example
- Cold Email Followup Template
- Cold Email to Decision Maker
- Cold Email After Voicemail
- Cold Email Breakup Template
10 Successful Cold Email Rules – The LeadFuze Grading Criteria
- Catchy subject line & first line
- Short
- Personalized not just “personalization”
- All about them… not you
- Easy to understand value prop
- Value offered before CTA
- No obvious red flags
- Not an obvious canned template
- Easy call to Action
- CAN-SPAM Compliant
General Cold Email Template
The general cold email is your first attempt to start a conversation with a prospect.
Cold Email Example 1
Thoughts:
- Breaks a LOT of rules!
- Might have worked a few years ago…But not anymore.
- Multiple CTAs lead to disaster
Cold Email Example 2
Thoughts:
- Generic “stab in the dark”
- Should have homework done already
- Hop on call is a weak CTA
- Multiple CTA (big ask)
- Old school VITO technique (go high- push down, but this was good ole days)
- Can only send specific date to one person- better to blast a better value prop to 1,000 leads
Cold Email Example 3
Thoughts:
- Short..but bad intro
- hard to book call first email (especially without giving value)
Cold Email Example 4
Thoughts:
- LONG, brick text
- “I/we” rather than “you”
Full Cold Email Video Commentary:
Summary:
The goal of this initial cold email is to simply start a conversation. You need a compelling value prop communicated in a crystal clear way.
Cold Email Example to Decision Maker
The cold email to ask for the decision maker is a popular template used today. Does that mean it works? Hint: NO.
Cold Email to Decision Maker 1
Cold Email to Decision Maker 2
Cold Email to Decision Maker 3
Thoughts:
- Predictable Revenue was a book written 6 years ago, about stuff they were actually doing 10 years ago. It doesn’t work as well anymore.
Cold Email to Decision Maker Commentary:
Cold Email Template – Follow Up
The cold email follow up template is used after your first cold email failed to generate a response.
Cold Email Follow Up Template 1
Thoughts:
- makes you want to review the first email(s)
- one clear question is good
Cold Email Follow Up Template 2
Thoughts:
- asking for a specific person after you have tried to start a conversation
Cold Email Follow up Commentary:
Cold Email Template – After Voicemail
The cold email to ask for the decision maker is a popular template used today. Does that mean it works? Hint: NO.
Cold Email After Voicemail 1
Thoughts:
- Missing context, was this a web form asking to be contacted?
- No value prop whatsoever – should be included even if this was a web form
Cold Email After Voicemail 2
Thoughts:
- good subject line
- good opportunity to make a commitment and build trust
Cold Email After Voicemail 3
Thoughts:
- No hook, no value
- wasted, useless question “how you doing”
Cold Email after Voicemail Commentary:
Cold Email Breakup Template
The cold email breakup template is your final attempt to start a conversation with a prospect (after prior emails have gone unresponded).
Cold Email Breakup Template 1
Thoughts:
- breakup email “fad” … effective 3-4 years ago, but now used so much by everyone
- do you really want to promise to not follow up again?
Cold Email Breakup Template 2
Thoughts:
- Nobody “closes” files anymore, not really believable
- Great next step CTA
Cold Email Breakup Template 3
Thoughts:
- If you say you are removing the fluff… ACTUALLY remove the fluff
- Add better benefits .. make them questions- “is managing your content difficult?”
Cold Email Breakup Commentary: