15 Best Cold Email Formulas & Templates For Effective Outreach

Ever feel like finding someone’s email is a mission impossible? Or maybe you’ve stared at your screen, stuck on how to write that perfect cold email? We’ve all been there!

Cold emailing isn’t as simple as it seems. Every line needs to catch attention and spark interest in your offering. 

But don’t stress! I’ve gathered expert tips from around the world to help you nail it. Think of them as secret formulas for writing killer cold emails.

So, grab your favorite coffee (or tea ☕) and get comfortable. With these easy tips, you’ll craft the right emails and spark conversations that’ll keep your inbox buzzing!

AIDA (ATTENTION, INTERESTS, DESIRES, AND ACTION) or Personal Approach

AIDA email format is the most common copywriting model targeted at a specific reader. Also, AIDA-based emails won’t look like blasts but like friendly offers.

AIDA’s elements are as follows:

Attention- You must grab the prospect’s attention with the subject line or opening sentence. Find out what will make them notice you.

Interest- Attract the target audience by appealing to their interest or pain points. Don’t make it all about you; it’s all about them.

Desire- By leveraging social proof, scarcity effect, exclusivity, or explaining how your offering will change the prospect’s life, you can create a desire for your offer.

Action- After capturing your lead’s attention, persuading them to take action, and building a wish for your offer, your email should end with an exclusive request for action. You shouldn’t overburden them with options.

For instance,

This perfectly illustrates the one thing you need to bear in mind when you write cold emails to increase the chances of them being read.

BBB(A BRIEF, BLUNT, and BASIC) or Get to the Point

With the BAB formula, your offer is customized to meet the needs and wants of your recipient:

Before- Describe a challenge that your prospects face. Your product or service should only be listed as being able to reduce or solve the problems and consequences.

After- In the end, show them how awesome the future could be without this problem. Include specific statistics and numbers.

Bridge- Provide a bridge to the future by explaining how your product or service can help them achieve it.

Do not ask for an appointment. Cold email formulas produce the shortest email letters, so every word must be useful.

Create a BAB (BEFORE, AFTER, and, BRIDGE) or Image

With the BAB formula, your offer is customized to meet the needs and wants of your recipient:

Before- Describe a challenge that your prospects face. Your product or service should only be listed as being able to reduce or solve the problems and consequences.

After- In the end, show them how awesome the future could be without this problem. Include specific statistics and numbers.

Bridge- Provide a bridge to the future by explaining how your product or service can help them achieve it.

Each element of the formula should have a short paragraph. Also, it is crucial to include a call to action.

Cold email formulas can lead to a successful campaign. This system works because it relies on the Freudian pleasure principle, which states that humans search instinctively for pleasure and avoid pain. Pain and pleasure are motivating factors for people.

PAS (PROBLEM, AGITATE  and, SOLVE) or Pain Points

The PAS formula is also based on identifying a unique pain point, similar to the BAB formula. Rather than showing the glittering future, you are only adding salt to the wound. Let’s see how it goes:

Problem- Identify where the problem lies.  

Agitate- Describe the specifics of the problem to hammer home its severity. Use examples, your own experience, or references to sources to back up your statement.  

Solve- You should be the hero at this stage with a solution to the problem.  

There is a greater motivation to perform under the PAS formula because pain is a stronger motivator than pleasure. A person is more likely to take action to avoid possible negative consequences than to achieve a positive outcome. The recipient will be motivated to seek a solution if they imagine how the problem could get worse or impact other aspects of their lives.

Your prospect needs to feel just enough frustration from the Problem and Agitate elements to prompt action. Solve your prospects’ problems completely – never agitate them with problems your product or service cannot resolve.

QVC (QUESTION, VALUE PROPOSITION and, CALL TO ACTION) or The Question

Do you know that starting an email with a question draws the recipient’s attention? Cold emails should also contain three to five sentences. Use the helpful QVC formula below if you need help managing this complex task.

Question- It is not necessary to introduce yourself. Ask a question that is closely related to your offer and the recipient’s problem instead of going straight to the point.  

Value Proposition- Your value proposition should focus on what sets you apart from the competition.  

Your email should conclude with a strong call to action. Close your presentation with an actionable call to action. In the same way as BBB, QVC should be concise and powerful. Make sure you pay attention to every word.

One of the most effective strategies to hook your prospects is to use this formula. Think of your email as a friendly recommendation, not as a desperate attempt to gain attention.

PPP (Praise, Picture, and Push) or Be Nice

PPP works again due to psychology: being praised, even by strangers, releases dopamine, which means your mood improves.

Praise-  In some way, praise your prospect to open up a dialogue. Compliments are as pleasurable as receiving money. Use them to start your email.

Picture- Make a cause-and-effect diagram to demonstrate how your product or service can help your prospects. This will increase your credibility.  

Push- Make them curious by giving a hint of your offer, but don’t go into too much detail. Don’t provide too much information, and just enough to excite the prospect. 

Praise is an element we’ve seen many marketers overlook with this formula, which is a mistake we’ve seen many marketers make.

This is the main component of the formula that influences your prospects’ decisions the most. Don’t give empty praise; make sure it’s a real, specific, and important accomplishment.

Don’t overpraise your prospect mention just one or two things that set them apart to keep the human touch without sounding too salesy.

SCH (STAR, CHAIN, and, HOOK) or Star of the Show

There are many similarities between the SCH formula and the AIDA formula, but its key parts are more distinct and specific. Follow these steps:

Star- Introduce your idea, service, or product as the star of the show. Your opening should be positive and catchy.

Chain- A chain of facts, benefits, and reasons will help you turn the recipient’s attention into interest and then into a desire for your star.

Hook- An effective call to action is the hook.

The chain component is the most important. It should support your star and hook with enough data, reports, testimonials, case studies, and examples. For better conversions, add details about any current discounts or offers that will convince your prospect to act today. This formula allows for a great deal of creativity in your copy.

SSS (Star, Story, and, Solutions) or Stir Their Feelings

SSS consists of three elements focusing on characters:

Star- Your idea, product, service, or new feature can be the star of your story. You or your prospect can be the star.

Story- Talk about the problem that the star faces in this paragraph. Make it engrossing and coherent.  

Solution- Describe how the star went on to achieve a successful result.

Your story does not need to be overly dramatic. Find out what troubles your prospects and appeal to their emotions. As a result, you will be distinguishable from your competitors.

Make sure that your final copy is convincing and genuine enough for your coworkers to give you feedback if you don’t have much copywriting experience.  

BYAF (Buy You Are Free) or let them go

Using the BYAF technique, you will gain compliance in a very simple and efficient manner. You can implement it simply by stating that a prospect can refuse your request or offer. More than 22,000 participants in 42 independent psychological studies have proven their effectiveness.

When you acknowledge the freedom of your target audience to say “no”, you grow your response rate overall and double your chances of receiving an affirmative response.

Yes, it is that simple!

We use this formula the most often. BYAF doesn’t require much planning or structure, as it removes any pressure that a prospect may have to respond to your offer as a result of receiving a cold email. Furthermore, it makes you appear more friendly to the prospect, which always works in your favor.

RDM (THE READER’S DIGEST MODEL) or the Classic

In his classic book Tested Advertising Methods, John Caples studied the structure of Reader’s Digest articles to develop this model.

In his opinion, the best articles have several characteristics in common:

• They contain facts
• with specifics
• with few adjectives
• the sentences are telegraphic
• and evoke curiosity

A good email copy will have these characteristics mentioned by any email marketer. Be sure to conclude with a compelling call to action or an open question that will get the recipient’s attention.

The Make It Hurt Till It Converts 

A smart marketing move is to highlight someone’s problem before offering your solution. This way, the pain sticks in their mind, making them more open to your pitch.

You can apply this tactic to cold emails – just keep it subtle. Start with a personalized touch, mention the issue they’re dealing with, then smoothly shift to your solution and what they should do next.

In short, remind them of their problem, then hand them the fix!

The Let’s Talk About You

Sometimes, it’s best to get straight to the point. Your prospects know you’re after something when they open your email.

Skip the fluff and focus on the essentials: What are you offering? Why does it matter to them? How can they take action if they are interested?

Answer these three questions in your cold email copy, and you’re set. When in doubt, simplify. If your message feels off, clean it up and send it.

The Above And Beyond 

If there’s one type of salesperson prospects love, it’s the one who goes the extra mile – offering free resources or helpful advice.

And the best part? These salespeople don’t require you to jump on a call to claim it. They give it, no strings attached.

Sound like a bad sales strategy? Think again. The more valuable content you give away, the more prospects engage, and the more clients you win.

That’s the power of content marketing—it works like magic.

Need proof? Check out this email pitch, one of the best ever by HubSpot’s Ginny Menio.

The “Manager FWD” Cold Email Template

This tactic involves sending an email that looks like it’s forwarded from a mutual connection or a higher-up in the recipient’s company. 

It boosts credibility and increases the chances it’ll get opened. Just ensure to use this approach ethically and stay transparent.

The “Awareness-Comprehension-Conviction-Action (ACCA)” Cold Email Template

Let’s break down this formula:

• Awareness – Highlight the problem or situation.
• Comprehension – Show how it affects them.
• Conviction – Spark desire by proving how your product or service solves the issue.
• Action – Encourage them to take a step, like trying a free demo.

While this may seem like AIDA, the focus on “Comprehension” and “Conviction” emphasizes clarity and builds trust simultaneously.

Crafting the Best Cold Email Template for Maximum Responses

“According to Baydin, we delete e-mails in an average of under 3.2 seconds. You have a very short window of time to get a prospect’s attention in order to get them to take the action you want them to take.” – Quora. 

Sending cold emails isn’t just about hitting “send” and crossing your fingers. It needs careful crafting to boost your chances of getting a reply. Here’s how to do it:

Dwell On Your Recipient’s Pain Points

Before you start drafting your email, get to know your recipient. Research their industry, company, and role to understand their challenges. 

Are there industry-wide pain points or specific issues their company is facing? Understanding this will help you craft a message that truly connects. 

Gather the details from LinkedIn, company websites, or industry reports.

Write a Concise Introduction

Keep the intro brief and direct. Introduce yourself and explain why you’re reaching out. Skip the lengthy details and get straight to the point. If you share any connections or interests, mention them to build a quick rapport.

For example: “Hi [Recipient’s Name], I saw your LinkedIn profile and was impressed by your work in [specific area].”

Offer a Clear Value Proposition

Why should your recipient pay attention? Make it clear what’s in it for them. Show how you can solve their problems and highlight the benefits of your product or service. Tailor your message based on your research.

For instance: “I see your company is dealing with [specific challenge]. Our [product/service] could simplify your process, saving you time and money.”

Add a Polished Email Signature

Don’t forget to add a professional email signature at the end of your message. It gives a personal touch and makes reaching out easy for the recipient. 

Include your full name, job title, company, and contact details. Feel free to add a link to your LinkedIn profile or company website for extra credibility!

An Engaging Subject Line

Your subject line is the first thing your recipient will see. Keep it short, catchy, and relevant. Try using their name, and consider asking questions or highlighting a benefit.

For example: “Quick Question about [Their Interest]?” or “Unlock [Benefit] for [Their Company].”

Review Your Email’s Formatting

Your email must be easy on the eyes! Break up the text with short paragraphs, bullet points, and plenty of white space. Skip the big blocks of text that can be overwhelming. 

Opt for a clean, professional font and format, and check that it looks great on mobile devices, too. Test it on different screens to be sure. The simpler your email, the better your chances of getting a reply!

“If you want a winning template that works A+++, you’ll need to come up with it yourself. A good start is seeing what outreach emails you get and dissecting what makes them good/bad.” – Dr Jigsaw on Reddit.

Tips to Get Your Cold Email Read

If your email goes unopened, it doesn’t mean people aren’t interested. They might be swamped, or the subject line wasn’t unclear. 

“There’s no silver bullet to crafting an email that will definitely drive results. It’s a combinations of audience, copy, timing, and many other aspects that makes a successful cold outreach campaign.” – Elen Udovichenko on Quora. 

While it’s true to some extent, there are some proven ways to get your emails noticed. Here are a few quick tips to do so!

• Make It Personal – Since your recipient gets tons of sales emails, avoid generic greetings like “Dear Sir” and personalize your message with their first name. Do a little research to mention their hobbies or interests, and you’ll make a stronger connection that stands out.

• Focus on the Customer – Instead of highlighting your own wins, focus on your potential client’s needs or problems and show how you can help. This will make them feel valued and boost the chances of their responding.

• Keep It Brief – Your email may not be eagerly awaited, so make it count when it’s opened. Get to the key points early and concise your message with brief paragraphs and bullet points.

• Suggest Next – At the end of your email, gently nudge your reader towards the action you want – like replying, calling, or visiting your site. A well-placed question can also encourage a response. 

Conclusion

Getting good at cold emails isn’t just about finding addresses. It’s about making real connections and opening up new opportunities. 

With these top 15 email formulas, you’ve got what it takes to navigate the email world like a pro.

Use these formulas to overcome the hurdle and correctly grab your audience’s attention. Remember, it’s not about bombarding people with boring messages. It’s about sending personalized, value-packed emails.
You can also check GrowMeOrganic’s 100+ email templates, created after analyzing 50,000,000 sequences. Access our proven and tested email templates written by industry experts and improve your reply rate TODAY!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q 1. Do Cold Email Formulas Work?

Cold email formulas work because they tap into human instincts. According to the Freudian pleasure principle, people naturally seek pleasure and avoid pain. These motivators – pain and pleasure -drive action, making cold email strategies effective.

Q 2. What’s The Ideal Length For A Cold Email? 

An ideal cold email length is between 50-125 words, which is around 5-15 lines of text. Keep it short and crisp to make an impact!

Q 3. What Are Some Common Subject Line Mistakes? 

People often mess up subject lines by being unclear or too pushy, using all caps or too many “!!!”, or tricking folks with clickbait. Be clear, on point, and real to catch email attention.

Q 4. Can I Get Blacklisted For Using Cold Email Formulas?

Follow email rules and use cold email formulas correctly. But don’t worry, doing it responsibly won’t get you in trouble. Just remember spam laws, respect what people want, and aim to make real connections.

Q 5. Is Cold Emailing Illegal?

Cold emailing isn’t illegal by default, but it’s regulated differently in various countries. If you don’t follow these rules, your cold emails could land you in legal trouble if someone reports them.

Q 6. How Do You Write A Good Cold Email Sequence?

A good cold email sequence is personalized and engaging with a clear value proposition. Start with a compelling subject line, follow up with relevant content, and include a strong call to action.

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