Feel like your cold emailing game is not good and your emails are just disappearing? You’re not alone. On average, only 6% of emails get opened, and even fewer get replies. But here’s the good news: by changing your approach, you can boost those numbers.
Let’s dive into a new way of cold emailing that gets you noticed.
Finding Your Chance in a Busy Inbox
Think about a CEO or VP’s inbox, it’s packed with generic subject lines like “Quick Question” or “Can I Introduce Myself?” No wonder your message gets lost. But here’s the upside: most people aren’t putting in much effort. This is your chance to stand out by being a bit more creative.
The Magic of a Personal Subject Line
First off, the subject line is your email’s first impression. You have seconds to grab attention, so make it count. Skip the generic stuff. Craft a subject line that means something to the recipient. It should make sense only to them and spark curiosity.
If you know the exec went to a certain university or shares a hobby, include that. Something like “Go Blue Devils + Your Latest Marathon” is both intriguing and personal. Using plus signs can break up the text and highlight different personalized bits.
Hooking Them with the First Line
Once they open your email, the first sentence needs to reel them in. It’s part of the preview they see before opening, so it’s crucial. You have a couple of solid options:
- Friendly Intro: Start by politely noting you haven’t met. For example, “Hi Alex, we haven’t had the chance to connect yet, but I’m [Your Name]…”
- Instant Personal Touch: Jump right into something relevant to them. “Hey Alex, saw your post about adopting rescue dogs, and as a fellow dog lover…”
Both approaches show you’re not blasting out mass emails but are genuinely interested in them.
Offering Real Value, Not Just a Pitch
Here’s where many emails miss the mark, they focus on what the sender does, not how they can help the recipient. Flip that around. Address a specific challenge they might face and how you can solve it. Be clear and to the point about the value you bring.
Also, think ahead to their possible objections. If you mention a problem you can fix, they might think, “We already have a solution for that.” Tackle this by acknowledging it and explaining how your approach is different or better.
For example:
“If you’re like many sales leaders, your team might not be using LinkedIn Sales Navigator to its full potential. Even if you have training resources, we offer hands-on strategies that have boosted usage from 5% to over 50% in just a month.”
Closing Without Being Pushy
How you wrap up your email can make a big difference. Skip the calendar links and avoid demanding their time. Instead, be polite and flexible.
Try something like:
“Do you have some time in the next week or two to chat? Let me know what works for you, and I’ll adjust my schedule.”
This shows respect for their time and paints you as accommodating, not pushy.
(Almost) Final Thoughts: Quality Beats Quantity
In cold emailing, less is often more. It’s better to send 20 well-crafted emails a week than 200 generic ones. Personalization takes more time, but it’s worth it. You’ll see higher open and reply rates and build real connections that can lead to long-term business relationships.
Remember, the goal isn’t just to get noticed, it’s to provide real value and start meaningful conversations.
Extra Tips
Always be authentic. Executives can spot a sales pitch from a mile away. By genuinely engaging with their interests, you’re building trust.
Also, consider leveraging mutual connections. A warm introduction can greatly increase your chances of a response. If you don’t have any, engaging with their posts on LinkedIn or other platforms over time can create familiarity.
Lastly, don’t get discouraged by the numbers. Even with a great approach, not every email will get a reply. Stay persistent and keep refining your techniques. Keep up with best practices, and don’t be afraid to try new things to see what works best for your audience.
Lastly
Customization at scale is the big thing now, and fully leveraging AI will be the key to achieving it.
