Everything you’ve heard about cold emails is wrong.
The advice from the so-called “hustle bros” on social media doesn’t work. As someone who receives cold emails and DMs daily, I delete 99% of them. There’s a big difference between what works and what fails when it comes to cold emailing and sending DMs. In this post, I’ll teach you how to write cold emails and messages that actually get responses and attract clients.
Why Most Cold Emails Fail
Many cold emails fail because they are impersonal and generic. Starting an email with “Yo Alex” or “Love what you’re doing, bro” is not professional and often turns people off. Additionally, sending the same generic message to thousands of business owners without any personalization does not work. Even if you get one client, you’ve burned hundreds of potential clients with lazy copy-and-paste messages.
The Right Mindset for Cold Emails
You don’t need hundreds of clients. Would you even have time to work with 100 clients right now? Probably not. You’d be happy with three to four high-paying clients per month. Focus on sending personalized, thoughtful messages to a few select people, not hundreds or thousands. Personalized messages are what people appreciate and respond to, and they help build relationships and attract long-term clients.
Examples of Effective Cold Emails
Example 1: Personalized and Relevant
Subject Line: “Got room for one more at Copywriting Crew?”
Email Body:
Hey Jesse,
Ian here, your friendly neighborhood barefooted copywriter. First off, big fan of your work. That campaign for Fly Video was pure gold. I’m just learning photography and video myself, so I found it super interesting.
I’m currently enjoying some unexpected free time due to a project delay and thought it might be a great chance to offer my services to a kickass team like yours.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Best,
Ian
Why It Works:
- Personalizes the subject line and greeting.
- Gives a specific compliment, showing they’ve done their research.
- Explains why they’re reaching out.
- Ends with a soft call to action.
Example 2: Offering Value First
Subject Line: “Hi Jesse, I can improve your thumbnails”
Email Body:
Hi Jesse,
I work with Mark Tilbury (2 million subscribers) and Ali Abdaal and Graham Stephan. I believe I found a few weak points in your current thumbnails that may hurt your click-through rate and engagement. Mind if I share a video explaining the weak spots of your current thumbnails?
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Why It Works:
- Mentions known influencers they’ve worked with.
- Points out specific issues and offers a video with free advice.
- Provides value before asking for anything in return.
Strategies to Get Your First Copywriting Client
Join Relevant Communities
Start by joining forums or communities related to your field. Be active and helpful, regularly ask questions, and post thoughtful comments. This builds your reputation and helps you connect with potential clients.
Engage on Social Media
Follow people you admire on social media and engage with their posts. Leave thoughtful comments, not just “Great post!” After a few weeks, they’ll recognize your name and appreciate your support.
Send Thoughtful Messages
When you send an email or DM, keep it short and sweet. Here’s a template you can use:
Hi [First Name],
I just wanted to drop a quick note to say how much I enjoyed your recent [blog post/video/social media post] on [specific topic]. It really struck a chord with me, especially the part about [specific detail]. As someone navigating the world of copywriting, I’m always looking to learn and grow. I’d love to hear your thoughts on [specific question].
Thanks again for your inspiring work.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Conclusion
To write effective cold emails, focus on personalization, offering value, and building genuine connections. Avoid generic messages and always prioritize the recipient’s needs. By implementing these strategies, you’ll see better responses and more opportunities.
