Cold calling is not only annoying but also ineffective as it takes too long and requires too much effort from the people being contacted, especially when they are busy or just not interested. Cold emails are better than traditional sales pitches because they take less time to reply (and reply). They are more effective at eliciting a response. And best of all: You don’t need personal contact!
In this article, we explain everything you need to know about sending cold emails. We’ll show you where to look for leads, what to say, how to format your messages, and even how to set up autoresponder follow-up reminders so you don’t forget to send them over time.
Before starting a campaign
There is one important question to ask yourself before launching any type of lead generation campaign: Is there a real person interested in my product or service? If not, why waste time generating leads? It might seem like an obvious answer, but many entrepreneurs don’t think twice about whether their target market really exists.
You need to identify someone with money in hand who is actively searching for products or services similar to yours.
The easiest way to do this, use online tools such as Google Trends, LinkedIn Influencers, Facebook Ads Manager, etc., which allow you to search for ideal customers based on specific keywords. Or use another keyword research tool to help you. Find out which words and phrases are most popular with shoppers searching for your offer.
Once you’ve found these people, focus on communicating directly via email.
Here’s exactly what to include in every single cold email you send.
- A personal touch. Use real names. Talk to them as if you were talking to a friend. Call them by their names and address them by their first and last names.
- Your value proposition. Explain how you solve your ideal customer’s problems. How could they benefit from working with you instead of another company? Make sure you list multiple benefits instead of just focusing on price. This will make your pitch look professional and trustworthy.
- A clear call to action. What does the recipient want to do next? Call back? Do you visit your website? Buy now? Start today? Whatever it is, say it clearly right away. Don’t leave anyone guessing.
- A compelling reason to act now. Tell them why they would be missing out on something great if they waited. Example: “If you wait until June 1st, you’re missing out on our monthly special!”
- Thank them. Always thank your reader for taking the time to read your email. Showing gratitude goes a long way.
Use simple language. Simple language engages the audience easier. Avoid jargon and technical terms related to your field.
Keep it short & sweet. Most businesses have strict word limits when it comes to subject lines. Keep sentences brief and punchy.
Here is an example of a well-composed cold email:
Hey Elon,
Just saw that you helped Nike get 1M views with your latest TikTok campaign – that’s amazing!
I wanted to reach out because we connect ecom-focused TikTok agencies in LA like yours with low-ticket Ecom stores perfect for TikTok ads that are already making over $100K/mo and looking to grow with TikTok Ads. Just helped Dormify book 17 meetings.
I would love to show you my plan of getting you 50 meetings with ecom stores like that (we work mostly on performance btw).
Do you have any time this week for a quick chat?
Cheers,
Alex
Building email lists
Building email lists is typically made by collecting email addresses from various sources. Some examples are viral campaigns, guest posts, paid ads, freebies, referral rewards, and referrals. Just remember to comply with CANSPAM laws or else your entire campaign could face legal ramifications. Also, check if the website allows double opt-in. After registering for an account, visitors must confirm their subscription after receiving instructions on how to do so.
Use Facebook Ads
All you need to do is purchase a few clicks and watch your audience grow exponentially. Facebook lets advertisers target audiences based on age, gender, location, relationship status, education level, interests, pages followed, and devices used. To learn more about this service, visit Facebook Advertising.
Create Your Own Free EBook
Creating an e-book is very easy. First, choose a topic related to your industry. Then simply describe your thoughts and opinions on the topic. Pictures, tables, and graphics. When you’re done, upload it to the Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) system. Everyone can download it from there for free. As mentioned above, make sure you share lots of useful information up front so people will eventually trust you.
Start a Newsletter
Newsletters are extremely important for success. Why? Because they allow marketers to connect directly with consumers, increasing the likelihood of a sale. If you have a small business, start a newsletter to let customers know about upcoming events. Offer discounts and coupons exclusively for newsletter subscribers.
Buy Email Lists
However, if you need an email list quickly you can scrape publically available emails or buy from those who already provide these services. For example, if you are a digital marketing agency and looking for highly accurate leads for your business trying CyberLeads is recommended.
Create a sense of community between the customer and the brand. Provide educational materials to increase awareness and levels of knowledge. Allow subscribers to comment on blogs (but protect yourself from spam). Do whatever it takes to build a loyal following.