Cold Email Template
Cold email is won or lost in the first two lines. This template keeps you under 90 words, leads with a reason you're reaching out to *them specifically*, and asks for one small yes — the format that consistently beats long, feature-heavy pitches.
Last reviewed 2026-07-01
Template preview
quick question about {{company}}'s onboarding
Saw your new self-serve flow — one idea.
Hi {{first_name}} — I noticed {{company}} just launched self-serve signup. Nice move.
We help {{industry}} teams cut trial-to-paid drop-off. For companies your size that's usually worth 10–15% more conversions.
Worth a 15-minute call next week to see if it applies to you?
Either way, congrats on the launch. {{your_name}} · {{your_company}}
{{your_company}}, {{address}} · Reply STOP to opt out.
How to fill in each field
Subject line
Lowercase, specific and curiosity-driven. Reference their company, not your product.
Common mistake: Salesy subjects like 'Boost your revenue 300%!' land in spam or get deleted on sight.
Personalized opener
One line proving you did 30 seconds of research. Reference a launch, hire or post.
Common mistake: 'I hope this email finds you well' — a signal you're mass-blasting.
Reason / relevance
Tie your value to their situation with a concrete number if you have one.
Common mistake: Listing every feature instead of the one outcome they care about.
One clear ask
Ask for a single small commitment (a reply or 15 minutes), not 'a demo'.
Common mistake: Multiple asks or a huge one ('hop on a 60-min call') kill reply rates.
Opt-out
Include a company name, address and easy opt-out to stay compliant even for cold B2B.
Common mistake: No opt-out or physical address — a compliance and deliverability risk.
Related templates & variants
Cold outreach is the acquisition variant. For nurturing people who just signed up, use the welcome email template. See the pillar page for the full anatomy of a marketing email.
Copy-paste email marketing templates that convert — with subject lines, preview text and a field-by-field guide. Download as Word or copy to Google Docs.
A welcome email template that sets expectations and drives the first key action. Copy-paste it, customize with the field guide, and download as Word.
Recommended tools
Prefer software to a file?
Some links are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Full disclosure.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a cold email be?+
Under 90 words. Long cold emails rarely get read; a tight message with one ask converts far better.
Is cold email legal?+
In the US, CAN-SPAM permits cold B2B email if you identify yourself, include a physical address and honor opt-outs. In the EU/UK, rules are stricter — check local guidance before sending.
How many follow-ups should I send?+
Two to three spaced follow-ups typically capture most replies. Add value each time rather than just 'bumping' the thread.
Sources & further reading
- Beginner's guide to B2B cold email sales (Higher Levels)— higherlevels.com
- The ultimate guide to B2B cold email (Konsyg)— konsyg.com
- B2B cold email best practices (GrowthToday)— growthtoday.co
We review authoritative guidance when building each template. Links are for reference only.