Cold email looks simple until you actually try it. Here’s a list of things we learned the hard way. Hopefully, this saves you some time (and embarrassment).
1. Short emails work better.
2. Personalization matters more than design.
3. “Just checking in” is a terrible follow-up.
4. Most people never reply on the first email.
5. No one reads long intros.
6. It’s not about you, it’s about them.
7. You don’t need a fancy domain, but it should be clean.
8. Avoid Gmail or Outlook personal accounts for sending.
9. Don’t use links in your first cold email (can trigger spam).
10. Don’t attach anything. Ever.
11. Avoid buzzwords like “disruptive” or “innovative.”
12. Always ask for something simple (like a 10-min call).
13. Sending at 8:00 a.m. local time works well.
14. You can’t fake genuine interest.
15. People can tell when it’s a mass send.
16. Follow-ups get more replies than first emails.
17. 2–3 follow-ups is usually the sweet spot.
18. Your first sentence should hook, not explain.
19. Don’t use “Hope this finds you well.”
20. Always test before scaling.
21. Avoid huge email lists, focus on quality.
22. Tools are great, but your message matters more.
23. Reply rates under 10% aren’t always bad.
24. Booking rates over 2% can still grow a business.
25. Don’t obsess over open rates.
26. Your subject line is 90% of the battle.
27. Keep subject lines under 5 words.
28. If you wouldn’t respond to it, don’t send it.
29. Humor works when it feels natural.
30. Outreach is a numbers game, but quality wins.
31. Your offer has to be clear in one sentence.
32. Most people skim, format your email accordingly.
33. You’re not bothering people if the offer is good.
34. It's okay if people say no, or never respond.
35. The goal is conversations, not perfection.
Cold email doesn’t have to feel spammy or cringe. When done right, it opens doors you didn’t know existed.