Organically meeting new business partners or new clients or even making a sale is all well and good but it’s not always enough. When done correctly, finding data and cold emailing can be an extremely effective way to reach out to new contacts and open up new opportunities. But when done poorly, it can be a quick way to get your email marked as spam.
So, how can you make sure your cold emails are effective? Here are some tips.
Write Targeted Emails
Sure, hundreds of email templates exist, and honestly, it’s easier and faster to use them. But between promotional emails and heartfelt petitions, people receive a lot of emails each day and you’re not going to stick out if you use generic templates that they’ve probably seen before.
Instead, people respond to emails that feel like they were written specifically for them. The best way to accomplish this is by taking the time to research your recipient and including something personal in the email. For example, say you’re writing to an angel investor. Research may reveal that they’re animal lovers. So, you could include a sentence about how your startup plans to donate heavily to animal shelters.
This may not seem like much, but it shows that you’ve taken the time to learn about their interests. And that’s the kind of attention that people respond to.
Avoid Salesy Language
Choose your language very carefully when it comes to cold emails. Remember, it’s the first impression you’re making and you want to sound interested in building a relationship, not just selling them something.
So, what qualifies as salesy language? Any words or phrases that make it sound like you’re more interested in making a quick buck than building a relationship. For example, “buy now,” “purchase fast,” “discounted price,” and “sale” are all likely to turn people off. Instead, use language that’s more about building a connection. For example, “learn more about,” “get to know,” and “find out more.”
Keep It Short
People are busy. They don’t have time to read through long, drawn-out emails. But how do you know what to include and what to leave out?
A good rule of thumb is to keep your email under five sentences. If you can’t sum up what you want to say in five sentences or less, then you probably need to rethink your email. Have you included a lengthy anecdote? Have you gone into too much detail about your product or service?
Remember, your goal is to pique the person’s interest, not give them a complete sales pitch.
End With A Call To Action
Your email should have a clear purpose. And that purpose should be communicated through a strong call to action. For example, if you’re trying to set up a meeting, your call to action could be something like, “I eagerly await a call to set up a meeting.”
Whatever your goal is, make sure it’s realistic for the person to do. Asking someone to meet with you for coffee is much more realistic than asking them to invest in your startup right off the bat.
Cold emailing can be an effective way to build relationships and grow your business. But it’s important to do it in a way that feels personal and genuine. Use the tips above to make sure your cold emails are well-received and get the results you’re looking for.
