5 Cold Email Crimes You Should Stop Right Now

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5 Cold Email Crimes You’ve Gotta Stop

Cold emails are like first dates. One wrong move, and you're getting ghosted faster than you can say following up on this.

Lots of sales reps are accidentally sabotaging their emails, without even knowing it.

But no need to worry. As your sales bestie, we’re here to call out those bad email habits that scream "DELETE ME".

So, here’s our top 5 email crimes, and how you can fix them.

1. The Fake Research

Have you ever sent an email that started with something like: ‘I was just looking into your company...’? When in reality, you weren’t.

This line is overused, and prospects can smell fake research from a mile away.

If you didn't actually research them, don't pretend you did.

But if you did research them, make it known. Include what you learned about them in your ‘research’ and why that prompted you to reach out.

2. "I'd Love To"

The reality is… nobody cares what you'd love to do.

It’s easy to forget this, and write something like ‘I’d love to connect’ or ‘I’d love to jump on a quick call’, but this makes it about you.

Try Swapping:

• I'd love to connect.

• I'd love to jump on a call.

With:

• Here's how we can solve X problem.

• Is it ok if I send a free report on how we could help with X?

3. Pitching Everything You Offer

When it comes to effective cold emails, less is more.

If your company offers multiple services or products, choose the ONE most relevant to that prospect.

I get cold emails from marketing agencies all the time, saying they can do video editing, SEO, copywriting, social media, etc.

When they pitch all of these services right off the bat, it makes me think one thing: While they might offer all of the services, they‘re probably not great at any of them.

4. The Essay-Length Email

Cold emails aren't term papers.

Your prospects are busy. They don't have time to read your novel-length pitch. Keep it:

• Short

• Crisp

• To the point

Aim for 80 to 120 words when writing your first touch emails.

And a rule of thumb: If you wouldn’t spend the time reading through the entire email yourself, neither will your prospect.

5. The Corporate Jargon

When your email makes it hard to understand what you offer, it’s doing more harm than good.

Sure, it’s fine to use industry language or terms specific to your ICP, but the more you complicate or ‘fluff’ up your messaging, the harder it will be to strike a nerve with your prospect (and actually get them to respond).

Here’s a few fluff words you should probably eliminate:

• World-class

• Robust

• Streamline

• ROI

Speak like a human. Make your value crystal clear in language a 7th grader would understand.

Happy emailing. 🫡 

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