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Write a cold email that people actually answer
A short, personal first email to a potential client that leads with their problem, not your sales pitch, plus two subject lines to test.
When to use it
Before contacting a new prospect
Step by step
Find one real reason to write
Look for something specific about the prospect: a new branch, a job advert, a post they wrote, or a review. That's your opening line.
Ask for a draft
Paste this prompt into your AI assistant.
Prompt to copyWrite a cold email from me, [your name], [what you do], to [their job title] at [company]. Reason I'm writing: [the specific thing you noticed]. The problem I think they have: [problem]. Proof I can help: [one result for a similar client, no names]. Rules: under 110 words; first line about them, not me; one clear, low-effort ask such as a 15-minute call or 'shall I send an example?'; no buzzwords, no flattery, no fake urgency; British English; plain text. Give me 2 subject lines under 6 words each and one alternative opening line.Make it sound like you
Read it out loud and change anything you wouldn't say in person. Add a line letting them know how to say no thanks.
Send it from your own inbox
Send it one at a time from Gmail or Outlook, not as a bulk blast, and note the date in your lead list.
What you get
Subject: Your new Leeds showroom Hi Jess, congrats on the Leeds opening. New showrooms often get lots of browsers but slow quote requests. I helped a Sheffield kitchen fitter double their booked consultations in three months with a simple follow-up routine. Would a 15-minute call next week be useful? No worries if not.
Tips
- Rules on business emails differ by country; in the UK and EU you need a fair reason to contact someone and an easy way to opt out.
- Send fewer, better emails; ten researched ones beat a hundred generic ones.