9 Cold Email Templates Guaranteed to Get More Replies

In this article we’ll be covering 9 cold email templates that we actively use and have tested. Each is a high performing cold email template so you can hit the ground running with great reply rates. And if you're in need of subject lines that go along with each cold email, you can download the entire list of cold emails along with the subject lines here.

Now, let’s dive in!

Template #1) Our Go To Template

This template was developed by the LeadLoft team and it’s our bread and butter. If results are ever waning, this is where we come back to. We know it works and it checks off all the cold email best practices.

If you need a place to start, there’s no better cold email template than this.

Hi {{FirstName}},

Came across {{Lead.Name}} and noticed <personalized compliment>.

We help <soft pitch> so I figured it made sense to connect. We actually just <half sentence case study>. Let me know if this is something you’re interested in. If not, happy to connect and <provide value>.

Mind if I send over a few times?

Best,
{{Sender.FirstName}}

Template #2) Proof Based Pitch

Providing proof that your service or product works is a great way to convince someone it’s worth hopping on a call with you. This cold email template focuses on a single case study and makes them feel like they may be missing out.

Hi {{FirstName}},

We help <soft pitch> and we actually just helped <their competitor> to <growth metric> so I figured it might make sense to connect.

Open to a quick call? Happy to share how we did.

Best,

{{Sender.FirstName}}

Template #3) Double Tap

This template actually includes two parts, the first email and a calendar link email. It includes sending a normal cold email, immediately followed by a calendar link and an apology.

The goal is to convince the recipient that you manually sent a cold email and forgot to include your calendar link. This convinces them that it’s not automated, even though it might be, and leads to an awesome response rate.

Email 1/2:

Hi {{FirstName}},

Congrats on the <recent achievement>.

I’m hoping to connect about how we can help <soft pitch>.

If you’re interested, would love to connect: <leave blank intentionally>

Best,
{{Sender.FirstName}}

Email 2/2:

Whoops, almost left out my calendar link. Here it is if you'r interested: <Calendar Link>

Hope to talk soon.
-{{Sender.FirstName}}

Template #4) Coming Into Town

Hey {{FirstName}},

Going to be in {{Lead.Location}} next week and would love to help you <how you help>.

Open to grabbing a coffee? At the very least, happy to meet and expand our networks.

Best,
{{Sender.FirstName}}

Template #5) The AIDA Template (Attention, Interest, Desire, Action)

I’ll be honest in telling you that I don’t love this template because it has a tendency to get really long and long emails just make it really difficult to get responses. Nevertheless, it’s a really popular framework that you’ll read about online so I figured I would share.

Attention -Subject Line: Just read your blog post

Hey {{FirstName}},

Interest - Really enjoyed your blog post about <Blog topic> yesterday.

‍Desire - We built our name on supporting <Blog topic> and companies like <Big Company> and <Lead’s Competitor> have been using us for years.

‍Action - How about we schedule a quick chat later this week to see if we can support {{Lead.Name}} too?

Best,
{{Sender.FirstName}}

Template #6) Value Based Pitch

Pitching results is always a great way to capture someone's attention. This template completely ignores the “how” and jumps straight to the “what” by highlighting the results you can provide. You can also add in case studies to this template to strengthen the pitch if you have them.

Hi {{FirstName}}

I wanted to see if <increasing X OR decreasing Y> is something you’d be interested in discussing.

Let me know, I'd be happy to walk through how it works.

Mind if I send over a few times?

Best,
{{Sender.FirstName}}

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Template #7) Soft Reminder (Follow Up)

You always want to follow up when you’re sending cold emails and if you read online, there are tons of people recommending a variety of different tactics. We’ll cover them all here but the first is the casual follow up. The goal is for it to feel as if it came from your coworker or boss. It’s short, direct, and there’s zero fluff.

Did you ever get around to reviewing this?

‍

Template #8) The Trickster (Follow Up)

This is a really interesting approach to cold emailing. The goal is to subtly trick the recipient into thinking that you’ve connected before. If they think you have, well, then your cold email just became a warm email.

Hi {{FirstName}},

I had a note to follow up so I just wanted to reconnect here. Are you still looking to <how you can help them>?

-{{Sender.FirstName}}

Template #9) Let’s Reiterate (Follow Up)

This is one of our team’s favorite follow up emails, it’s short, direct, and highlights the best part of your initial pitch while removing some of the fluff. If you use this template, it pairs really well with The LeadLoft Cold Email Template.

Hi {{FirstName}},

I’m reaching out because we help <soft pitch> so I figured it made sense to connect. We actually just <half sentence case study>. Let me know if this is something you’re interested in. If not, happy to connect and <provide value>.

Mind if I send over a few times?

Best,
{{Sender.FirstName}}

Wrapping Up

Every template on this list is really well written and is sure to improve your cold email campaigns. Just keep in mind that the audience your pitching has a big impact on which template and tactics work best so be sure to constantly test and optimize your email copy.

If you’re looking to download the subject lines that go along with each of the templates above, feel free to check out our free resource here.