Cold emails can be powerful tools for growing your business, but only if done right. Too often, though, people fall into traps that make their emails easy to ignore—or worse, irritating.
Here’s a list of 11 cold email tactics you should trash immediately to start getting real results.
1. Using Hype-y and Unbelievable Copy You’ve seen them: “We have the best leads,” “We 5X your sales,” or “Get 6-minute abs.” These over-the-top promises reek of exaggeration. Instead of enticing your reader, they’re more likely to send your email straight to the trash. People see through the hype. Be realistic and honest in your messaging.
2. Buzzwords That Mean Nothing Words like “end-to-end,” “optimization,” “value-added,” “360 view,” and “synergy” sound impressive but say nothing. These buzzwords have been overused to the point of losing any real meaning. Instead, focus on clear, specific language that tells your prospect exactly what you can do for them.
3. Misleading Subject Lines Nobody likes to be tricked. Subject lines like “re: contract” that make it seem like there’s already an existing conversation are dishonest and will leave a bad taste in your reader’s mouth. Stick to subject lines that accurately represent the content of your email.
4. Rambling Get to the point. Instead of writing, “The reason I’m reaching out is that I noticed…” just say, “Looks like…” Brevity is key in cold emails. Busy professionals don’t have time to read through long-winded explanations.
5. Self-Centered Copy If your email is filled with “I” and barely mentions “you,” it’s time to flip the script. The focus of your email should be on the prospect, not on you. Make sure your “I” to “you” ratio is low—ideally 1:5. The more you focus on the prospect’s needs, the better your chances of getting a response.
6. Generic Copy Phrases like “more sales” and “increase productivity” are too broad to be effective. Be specific: “Do you spend 10+ minutes sitting in the back of a truck rigging a simple double drop nymph setup?” The more tailored your email is to the prospect’s actual pain points, the more likely they’ll see the value in your message.
7. Fake Niceness Compliments like “Love your podcast” or “Your post was amazing” come across as insincere when they’re just a setup for your pitch. People can sense when flattery is fake. If you’re going to compliment someone, make sure it’s genuine and relevant to the conversation.
8. Ignoring the Prospect’s Pain Points If you don’t know what specifically sucks about how your prospect is getting the job done today, your email is doomed to fail. Do your research. Understand the challenges your prospect is facing and address them head-on in your email.
9. Bump Emails That Add No Value “Just seeing if you got my email” is a waste of everyone’s time. If you’re going to follow up, make sure you’re adding something new to the conversation. Remind them of the value you’re offering or provide additional insights.
10. Cramming Too Many Ideas Into One Email You might think listing all the ways you can help will increase your chances of a response, but it actually does the opposite. When you cram too many ideas into one email, you dilute your message. Focus on solving one problem per email. It’s like chess—make one move at a time.
11. The “Fake Forward” No one is fooled by “FW:” in the subject line. It’s an old trick that’s been used too many times, and it makes you look desperate. Be straightforward in your approach; authenticity goes a long way.
Cold emails can be effective, but only if they’re crafted with care. Trash these outdated and ineffective tactics, and start writing emails that are clear, concise, and genuinely helpful. Remember, the goal isn’t just to get noticed—it’s to build trust and start a conversation.