How to Write Cold Emails

Charlie Greenman Edition

1. Do your research. Make sure you know who you’re emailing and why they might be interested in what you have to say.

2. Keep it short and sweet. No one wants to read a long, rambling email. Get to the point quickly.

3. Personalize your email. A generic “Dear sir/madam” won’t cut it. Take the time to address the person by name.

4. Offer something of value. What can you provide that will be of benefit to the recipient?

5. Be genuine. Cold emailing can feel a bit sales-y, so make sure your intention comes across as genuine and helpful, not pushy.

6. Follow up. If you don’t hear back, follow up a few days later. It’s possible your email got lost in the shuffle.

7. Don’t give up. It can take a few tries to get a response, but don’t give up too easily. Keep at it and you’ll eventually get a bite.

8. Use a professional email address. If you’re using a personal email account, make sure it doesn’t have a silly username. Use something that looks professional.

9. Proofread. This should go without saying, but make sure you proofread your email before you hit send. Typos and grammar errors will make you look unprofessional.

10. Have patience. Don’t expect an immediate response to your cold email. Give the recipient a few days to get back to you.