Summary
The responses encompass various aspects of targeted cold emails and the pitfalls of poorly executed outreach. Successful cold emails personalize content, offer value, and comply with legal regulations like CAN-SPAM, GDPR, and CCPA. They also leverage technical strategies like dedicated IP addresses, IP warming, and multi-channel approaches. In contrast, 'weird' or ineffective requests include irrelevant link exchanges, generic SEO services, unsolicited meeting invitations, and even attempts to promote scams. Avoiding promotional language, respecting privacy, and maintaining ethical standards are crucial for successful and compliant cold outreach.
Key findings
- Personalization Enhances Response: Personalizing cold emails with recipient-specific details, such as recent blog posts or shared connections, increases response rates.
- Relevance Prevents Rejection: Irrelevant requests, like link exchanges to unrelated sites or SEO for non-matching keywords, are ineffective and perceived negatively.
- Legal Compliance is Mandatory: Compliance with CAN-SPAM, GDPR, and CCPA is essential for avoiding legal penalties and maintaining ethical standards.
- Technical Infrastructure Matters: Using dedicated IP addresses, warming up IPs, and sending emails at optimal times enhance deliverability and engagement.
- Ethical Boundaries are Paramount: Unethical attempts, such as scam promotions or misleading claims, can damage brand reputation and erode trust.
Key considerations
- Focus on Value and Relevance: Prioritize providing value to the recipient and ensuring the content aligns with their interests or needs.
- Adhere to Legal and Ethical Guidelines: Thoroughly understand and comply with all applicable regulations to prevent legal issues and maintain a positive reputation.
- Optimize Technical Setup: Implement best practices for IP warming, dedicated IPs, and sending times to improve deliverability and engagement.
- Consider Multi-Channel Outreach: Combine email with LinkedIn, phone calls, or other channels to increase the chances of a response.
- Be wary of Scams: Take all precautions.
What email marketers say
11 marketer opinions
The provided answers offer diverse perspectives on targeted cold emails and unusual outreach requests. Successful targeted cold emails involve personalization, referencing specific details or shared connections, and providing value. Conversely, ineffective or 'weird' requests include irrelevant link exchanges, SEO service offers for unrelated keywords, and even attempts to promote scams. Combining email with other channels like LinkedIn, optimizing sending times, and structuring the email well are also important considerations for cold email success.
Key opinions
- Personalization Matters: Personalizing cold emails with details like mentioning blog posts, achievements, or shared connections increases response rates.
- Relevance is Crucial: Requests for link exchanges to unrelated websites or SEO services for irrelevant keywords are considered absurd and ineffective.
- Multi-Channel Approach: Combining email with LinkedIn outreach or phone calls improves response rates.
- Strategic Timing: Sending cold emails at specific times of day (mid-morning/early afternoon) can enhance open rates.
- Ethical Boundaries: Some outreach requests involve unethical or scam-related promotions, highlighting the need for caution.
Key considerations
- Structure & Targeting: Cold emailing benefits come from a well-structured, well-targeted strategy.
- Personalized Templates: Create personalized email templates for specific recipient details to save time and stay targeted.
- Strategic Approach: Carefully consider the content, personalization, and target of your cold emails to avoid being perceived as spam or irrelevant.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email Geeks shares how a cold call email person sent a meeting notice, which was promptly declined.
3 Jan 2025 - Email Geeks
Marketer view
Email marketer from GrowthHackers Community shared a story on being asked to promote a cryptocurrency scam through their email list, showcasing the extent of unethical outreach attempts.
13 Aug 2022 - GrowthHackers
What the experts say
5 expert opinions
The answers discuss examples of both effective and ineffective cold email strategies. A good targeted cold email compliments, references relevant content, and offers value. In contrast, weird requests include asking for links to irrelevant articles, offering generic SEO help, or even posing as security experts to extort money. Avoiding overly promotional language and prioritizing value are crucial to avoid spam filters.
Key opinions
- Value-Driven Approach: Effective targeted cold emails focus on providing value to the recipient rather than being overly promotional.
- Relevance is Key: Link requests to irrelevant content are considered a strange and ineffective outreach tactic.
- Spam Tactics: Some cold emails use spam tactics like posing as security experts to extort money.
- Compliment is key: Complimenting the recipient shows you know who they are.
Key considerations
- Avoid Overly Promotional Language: Refrain from using overly promotional language to prevent your email from being flagged as spam.
- Focus on Value: Prioritize providing value to the recipient in your cold emails to increase engagement.
- Avoid Spam Tactics: Do not use spam tactics.
Expert view
Expert from Spamresource shares a spam email example from an email claiming they are a security expert that have identified a vulnerability. They are offering to sell their knowledge, but are really just trying to extort money.
26 Sep 2024 - Spamresource
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks shares that the weirdest request was someone asking her to link to their article on autism.
3 Aug 2023 - Email Geeks
What the documentation says
4 technical articles
The documentation highlights the legal and technical requirements for sending targeted cold emails. Compliance with regulations like CAN-SPAM, GDPR, and CCPA is essential. Using a dedicated IP address and domain protects email reputation, and warming up IP addresses helps prevent emails from being flagged as spam.
Key findings
- Legal Compliance: Targeted cold emails must comply with regulations such as CAN-SPAM, GDPR, and CCPA.
- Dedicated Infrastructure: Using a dedicated IP address and domain is crucial for protecting email reputation.
- IP Warming: Warming up IP addresses is necessary to prevent emails from being flagged as spam.
- Unsubscribe Link: Must have clear unsubscribe link.
Key considerations
- Legal Ramifications: Failure to comply with regulations can lead to legal issues and penalties.
- Email Reputation: Protect your email reputation by using a dedicated IP address and domain.
- Gradual IP Warm-up: Gradually increase email volume to warm up your IP address and avoid spam filters.
- Explicit Consent: You must obtain consent before sending marketing emails.
Technical article
Documentation from Microsoft answers that cold emails should respect data privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA by obtaining explicit consent before sending marketing emails.
15 Jul 2024 - Microsoft
Technical article
Documentation from Mailchimp explains that targeted cold emails should always include a clear unsubscribe link and comply with CAN-SPAM regulations to avoid legal issues.
8 Jul 2024 - Mailchimp
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How effective is AI personalization for cold emails, and does it prevent spam?
