In the fast-paced world of outbound sales and email marketing, cold emails remain a powerful tool. When done right, they can significantly boost lead generation efforts. However, most of us struggle to get our emails open and fetch minimal replies, even after spending hours curating emails. According to a study by Mailchimp, the average open rate for cold emails is around 21%, with some industries experiencing higher engagement. However, the response rate for cold emails is notably lower, around 1%, as reported by HubSpot. This low response rate underscores the importance of using well-crafted templates and strategic follow-ups to enhance effectiveness. 

This article will explore over 20 cold email templates along with frameworks that have proven to drive engagement, helping sales reps, business owners, and marketers like yourself generate better leads and turn them into clients. 

But First, What Are Cold Email Templates? 

Cold email templates are pre-written messages designed for outreach to potential leads who have had no prior interaction with you. These templates are tailored to grab attention, convey value, and prompt action from the recipient. They streamline the outreach process, saving time while ensuring that the messaging remains effective and professional. 

Let’s Understand How to Write a Cold Email in 10 Simple Steps: 

Writing an effective cold email involves a blend of strategy, personalisation, and clarity. Here are ten steps to help you craft compelling cold emails: 

  1. Research Your Audience: Understand the recipient’s needs, pain points, and preferences.
  2. Craft a Catchy Subject Line: Make it intriguing yet relevant.
  3. Personalize the Greeting: Use the recipient’s name and any relevant details.
  4. Introduce Yourself Briefly: State who you are and why you’re reaching out.
  5. Highlight Common Ground: Mention any shared connections or interests.
  6. State the Value Proposition: Clearly explain what you offer and how it benefits the recipient.
  7. Include a Call to Action (CTA): Prompt the recipient to take the next step.
  8. Keep It Concise: Respect the recipient’s time by being brief.
  9. Proofread and Edit: Ensure your email is free of errors.
  10. Follow-Up: Send a polite follow-up if you don’t receive a response. 

Effective Cold Email Frameworks for Long-Term Success 

To create impactful cold emails, leveraging established frameworks can be immensely beneficial. Here are some globally recognised frameworks along with templates to help you get started. 

1. AIDA (Attention, Interest, Desire, Action) 

The AIDA framework is a classic marketing model used to guide the creation of persuasive messages. It involves four stages:

Attention: Capture the recipient’s attention with a compelling opening.

Interest: Generate interest by addressing the recipient’s needs or pain points.

Desire: Create a desire for your solution by highlighting its benefits and value.

Action: Prompt the recipient to take a specific action, such as scheduling a call or signing up for a demo. 

Template: 

AIDA

2. Before-After-Bridge (BAB)

The BAB framework is a storytelling technique that paints a picture of the current state (before), the desired future state (after), and shows how to get there (bridge). It’s effective for illustrating the impact of your solution.

Before: Describe the current situation or problem.

After: Illustrate the ideal scenario after the problem is solved.

Bridge: Explain how your solution can make the transition from the current state to the desired state. 

Template:

BAB

3. Problem-Agitate-Solve (PAS) 

The PAS framework is designed to highlight a problem, agitate the issue to emphasise its impact, and then present a solution. It’s a powerful way to show the urgency and necessity of your offering.

Problem: Identify a specific problem that the recipient is facing.

Agitate: amplify the problem’s negative impact to create a sense of urgency.

Solve: Present your solution to alleviate the problem. 

Template: 

PAS

4. Praise-Picture-Push (PPP) 

The PPP framework involves praising the recipient, painting a picture of potential benefits, and pushing for a meeting or call. This method leverages positive reinforcement and clear benefits to encourage action.

Praise: Compliment the recipient on a recent achievement or positive aspect of their business.

Picture: Paint a picture of how your solution can enhance their success.

Push: Encourage the recipient to take the next step, such as scheduling a meeting. 

Template: 

PPP

Top 20+ Cold Email Templates That Work 

Here are 20+ cold email templates, based on the frameworks mentioned above, designed to drive engagement, improve your outbound sales efforts, and enhance your lead generation efforts. 

  1. AIDA: Product Launch
cold email 1

2. AIDA: A Free Trial

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3. BAB: Efficiency Improvement

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4. BAB: Cost Reduction

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5. PAS: Sales Growth

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6. PAS: Customer Retention

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7. PPP: Market Expansion

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8. PPP: Innovation

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9. Be a problem solver

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10. Exemplify with the Case Study

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11. The Benefit Highlight

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12. The personal connection

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13. Make the invitation

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14. The Quick Question

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15. Make the offer

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16. The Feedback Request

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17. The LinkedIn Connection

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18. The Follow-Up

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19. The Product Demo

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20. The Value Offer

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21. The free resource

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22. The Reminder

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How can Salesflow Help? 

Salesflow specialises in LinkedIn automation and multi-channel outreach, making it easier for sales managers and marketers like you to connect with potential leads across different platforms. By integrating Salesflow into your outreach strategy, you can streamline your cold email campaigns and enhance your overall lead generation efforts. Our platform helps automate the process, ensuring you can focus on crafting personalised messages and building meaningful connections. Take a free trial today!

Conclusion 

Cold emailing, when done right, can significantly boost your lead generation efforts. By using these 20+ effective templates, sales reps, business owners, and marketers can enhance their outreach strategies, resulting in better open rates and higher response rates. Remember, the key to a successful cold email lies in personalisation, clarity, and delivering value.

What strategies have you found most effective in your cold email campaigns?