8 Cold email templates for sales outreach

Cold emailing is one of the most effective ways to reach potential customers, generate leads, and grow your business. However, crafting a cold email that cuts through the noise and gets a response can be challenging. The key is to create emails that are concise, personalised, and value-driven. The right cold email strategy can open the door to new sales opportunities, build strong relationships, and elevate your brand.

In this article, we’ll explore eight cold email templates for sales outreach that you can customise to suit your business. These templates are designed to grab attention, offer value, and increase your chances of converting leads into customers.

For additional insights on sales strategies, check out GoHire’s guide on candidate sourcing strategies—a useful read for anyone involved in outreach, including sales.

1. The introduction email

The introduction email is often the first point of contact with a potential lead. This email should be concise, establish a clear connection, and offer something of value. Start by referencing how you found the lead and make sure your subject line is compelling.

Subject: Helping [Company Name] achieve [specific benefit]

Hi [Name],

I came across [Company Name] on LinkedIn and was impressed with your recent growth. My company, [Your Company], helps businesses like yours achieve [specific result or goal]. I’d love to schedule a brief call to discuss how we could assist you in [solving a specific problem or achieving a specific goal].

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Best,
[Your Name]

2. The follow-up email

Often, you won’t get a reply from your first email. A well-timed follow-up email is essential for keeping the conversation going. Use this email to gently remind your prospect about your previous outreach while offering additional value or addressing a pain point.

Subject: Just checking in – can we help with [specific benefit]?

Hi [Name],

I wanted to follow up on my previous email regarding how [Your Company] can help [Company Name] achieve [specific benefit]. We specialise in helping companies in your industry optimise [specific area], and I’d love the opportunity to chat about how we could support your team.

Let me know if you have some time this week for a quick call.

Best,
[Your Name]

3. The value proposition email

In this email, you focus on delivering a strong value proposition that shows the recipient how your product or service can solve a specific problem. This email should be short, direct, and highly focused on the recipient’s pain points.

Subject: Save [specific amount of time or money] with [Your Company]

Hi [Name],

I noticed that [Company Name] is working on [specific challenge or initiative]. At [Your Company], we help businesses like yours save [X amount of time/money] by [specific solution]. We’d love to show you how we can help streamline your [process/system].

Do you have 15 minutes for a quick chat this week?

Best,
[Your Name]

4. The case study email

Nothing grabs attention like proof that your solution works. Use this template to showcase a relevant case study that demonstrates how you’ve helped a similar company achieve success. Make sure the case study addresses the prospect’s key challenges.

Subject: How we helped [Similar Company] increase [specific metric] by [X%]

Hi [Name],

I wanted to share how we helped [Similar Company] achieve [specific result]. They were facing challenges similar to those at [Company Name], and by using our [specific solution], we were able to increase their [specific metric] by [X%].

Let’s schedule a quick call to discuss how we could achieve similar results for your business.

Best,
[Your Name]

5. The “did you know?” email

This template works well when you want to offer a statistic or insight that highlights a pain point or opportunity for the recipient. It’s a great way to educate your prospect while also showcasing how your solution can help.

Subject: Did you know [surprising statistic] about [industry]?

Hi [Name],

Did you know that [surprising statistic relevant to their business]? Many companies in your industry face this challenge, but [Your Company] has helped clients overcome this issue by [specific solution].

I’d love to share how we can help [Company Name] tackle this challenge.

Best,
[Your Name]

For more tips on how to craft compelling messages, check out GoHire’s guide to powerful LinkedIn messages, which offers insight into building meaningful professional relationships.

6. The referral email

Sometimes a warm introduction through a mutual connection can make all the difference. Use this email template if you’ve been referred to a prospect by someone they know, or if you want to ask a current contact for a referral.

Subject: [Mutual connection] recommended I reach out

Hi [Name],

[Mutual connection] recommended I get in touch with you regarding [specific benefit]. I’ve been working with businesses like [Company Name] to help them achieve [specific result], and I believe we could offer the same value to your team.

I’d love to chat and explore how we could support [Company Name] in [specific area].

Best,
[Your Name]

7. The limited-time offer email

Creating a sense of urgency with a limited-time offer can prompt your prospect to act quickly. This template is effective for encouraging immediate engagement or scheduling a meeting.

Subject: Special offer for [Company Name] – limited time only

Hi [Name],

I wanted to let you know that we’re offering [specific offer or discount] for companies like [Company Name], but it’s only available for a limited time. I’d love to discuss how [Your Company] can help you achieve [specific goal] and how you can take advantage of this offer.

Let me know if you’re available for a quick call this week to discuss further.

Best,
[Your Name]

8. The “no reply” final attempt email

If you’ve tried multiple times to reach a prospect without success, this email is your final attempt to get a response. Make sure to keep it light and respectful—sometimes acknowledging their lack of response can prompt them to reply.

Subject: Should I close your file?

Hi [Name],

I’ve reached out a couple of times and haven’t heard back, so I’m going to assume the timing isn’t right. If that’s the case, no worries! Please feel free to reach out when you’re ready to explore how [Your Company] can help [Company Name] with [specific solution].

In the meantime, I’ll close your file for now. Hope to hear from you down the road!

Best,
[Your Name]