Cold Email Introduction Template
Download our proven cold email introduction template with 15%+ response rates. Includes personalization tips, subject line options, and A/B testing variations.
The Template
Subject: Quick question about [Company]'s [specific challenge] Hi [First Name], I noticed [Company] has been [specific observation about their business - growth, hiring, news, etc.]. We help companies like yours [specific benefit/outcome] by [brief description of how]. For example, [Similar Company] was able to [specific result with numbers] within [timeframe]. Would you be open to a quick 15-minute call this week to see if this could help [Company]? Best, [Your Name] [Title]
Why This Template Works
A well-crafted cold email introduction is the difference between landing in the trash and landing a meeting. This template has been tested across thousands of cold outreach campaigns and consistently achieves 10-15% response rates when properly personalized.
The key to effective cold email is proving you've done your research in the first two sentences. Generic "I hope this email finds you well" openers signal to the recipient that you're blasting the same message to hundreds of people—and they'll treat it accordingly.
This template follows the AIDA framework (Attention, Interest, Desire, Action) compressed into a 125-word email that respects your prospect's time while clearly communicating your value proposition.
When to Use This Template
Key Elements That Make It Work
Personalized Opening Hook
Reference something specific about their company—recent news, job postings, or LinkedIn posts. This proves you researched them and aren't mass-emailing.
Clear Value Proposition
State what you help companies like theirs achieve in one sentence. Focus on outcomes (2x pipeline, 50% faster closes) not features.
Social Proof
Mention a similar company you've helped with specific results. This builds credibility and makes your claims concrete.
Low-Friction CTA
Ask for 15 minutes, not an hour. Make it easy to say yes. Offer specific times rather than making them work to schedule.
Template Variations for Different Scenarios
The Trigger Event
When you've noticed recent company news (funding, hiring, expansion)
Subject: Congrats on the Series B, [First Name] Hi [First Name], Just saw the news about [Company]'s $20M Series B—congrats! Scaling the sales team is probably top of mind right now. We help growth-stage companies like [Similar Company] ramp new reps 40% faster with AI-powered lead qualification. Less time training, more time selling. Would you be open to a quick 15-minute call this week to see if this could help [Company] hit your growth targets? Best, [Your Name]
Subject Line Options to Test
Personalization Tips for Higher Response Rates
Always use their first name—never 'Dear Sir/Madam' or 'To whom it may concern'
Reference a specific recent event: funding, new product, job posting, or company news
Mention their industry challenges, not generic pain points
If you saw their LinkedIn post, reference it specifically
Customize the social proof to a company in their industry or of similar size
Match their communication style—formal for enterprise, casual for startups
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times should I follow up on a cold email?
Research shows the optimal number is 3-5 follow-ups spaced 3-7 days apart. After 5 emails with no response, move the prospect to a long-term nurture sequence. 80% of deals require at least 5 follow-ups, but most salespeople give up after just 1-2.
What's the best time to send cold emails?
Tuesday through Thursday between 9-11am in the recipient's timezone typically sees the highest open and response rates. Avoid Monday mornings (inbox clearing) and Friday afternoons (weekend mode). B2B prospects are most responsive mid-week, mid-morning.
How long should a cold email be?
Keep cold emails between 50-125 words. Every word needs to earn its place. The goal isn't to close the deal in the email—it's to earn a response. Longer emails feel like work to read and get skipped. Get to the point fast.
Should I include my company's full pitch in the cold email?
No. The cold email's only job is to earn a conversation, not close a deal. Include just enough to spark curiosity and establish relevance. Save the full pitch for the meeting. If you explain everything in the email, there's no reason to take the call.
How do I avoid spam filters with cold emails?
Avoid spam trigger words (free, guarantee, limited time), don't use all caps or excessive punctuation, warm up your email domain gradually, keep image-to-text ratio low, include your physical address, and maintain a clean sender reputation by removing bounced emails quickly.
What makes a good cold email subject line?
Good subject lines are short (6-10 words), personalized (include their name or company), create curiosity without being clickbait, and match the email content. Questions and lowercase formatting often outperform declarative statements and title case.
Let AI Write Your Cold Emails Automatically
Stop copying templates. Rocket Agents creates personalized cold emails for every lead, sends them at the optimal time, and follows up until they respond—all automatically.
Ready to Automate Your Outreach?
Join companies using AI to send personalized cold emails at scale—without hiring more SDRs.
7-day free trial • No credit card required • Cancel anytime