How to cold email

1. Subject line: Be specific, short, and benefit-focused (e.g., “Quick question about [project/team]” or “Idea to reduce [problem] by X%”). 2. First sentence: Personalize immediately — mention a concrete connection (their work, a recent post, mutual contact). 3. Value proposition: In 1–2 sentences say what you offer and how it helps them (focus on their benefit, not your credentials). 4. Social proof: Add one brief credibility marker (company, metric, mutual contact, or relevant result). 5. Call to action (CTA): Ask a simple, low-effort next step (e.g., “Are you open to a 10-minute call next week?” or “May I send a 1-page summary?”). 6. Brevity and formatting: Keep it 3–6 short sentences; use one paragraph or 2 very short ones. 7. Timing and follow-up: Send on weekday mornings; if no reply, send 1–2 polite follow-ups spaced 3–7 days apart, each adding small new value. 8. Signature: Include name, role, company, and one contact link (LinkedIn or website). 9. Tone: Professional, conversational, and respectful of their time. 10. Legal/ethics: Don’t misrepresent identity; comply with anti-spam laws (e.g., CAN-SPAM, GDPR where applicable). Sources and further reading: Templates and best practices — HubSpot cold email guide; “Cold Email Hacks” by Ali Abdaal (practical examples).