Writing a compelling cold email can be challenging. Every line is crucial to hook your prospects and improve your response rates. Luckily, there are powerful formulas that can help you structure your copy and create impactful cold emails. In this article, we have curated 10 failproof cold email templates that will transform your outreach and generate better results.
What is Cold Emailing?
Before we delve into the various cold email formulas, let’s first clarify the term “cold emailing.” Cold emailing refers to sending an initial email to a recipient without prior contact. The goal of cold emailing is to build a relationship with a person or business for potential cooperation.
Crafting a cold email that converts is no easy task. However, with the right formula, you can create compelling emails tailored to your goals. Let’s explore some of the most effective and popular cold email formulas with examples.
Personal Approach, or AIDA
The AIDA formula focuses on a specific reader and makes your email more personal and recipient-centered. It stands for Attention, Interest, Desire, and Action.
- Attention: Catch the prospect’s attention with an engaging subject line or opening sentence.
- Interest: Appeal to your prospect’s professional or personal interest, highlighting their pain points.
- Desire: List the benefits and value you offer, using social proof or scarcity effects.
- Action: End your email by asking for a specific action, providing clear instructions.
Remember, brevity is key in cold emails. Keep them short to increase the chances of the recipient reading the entire message.
Get to the Point, or BBB
The BBB formula emphasizes brevity and simplicity, which are highly appreciated by recipients. BBB stands for Brief, Blunt, and Basic.
- Brief: Keep your email as concise as possible for faster response times.
- Blunt: Cut to the chase and clearly state what you have to offer and why it’s valuable.
- Basic: Keep your language simple and considerate of your recipient.
By following these principles, you can create effective cold emails with just the necessary information to grab attention and prompt action.
Create an Image, or BAB
The BAB formula revolves around making an offer that addresses your recipient’s needs and desires.
- Before: Describe a challenge your prospect faces, focusing on problems your product or service can solve.
- After: Paint a picture of how life could be after these problems are resolved, using stats or numbers if available.
- Bridge: Explain how your product or service can bridge the gap to that desired future.
By using the BAB formula, you can transform your product-focused copy into a benefit-focused message that resonates with your prospects.
Pain Points, or PAS
The PAS formula identifies a unique pain point and addresses it effectively.
- Problem: Identify a sore point your prospect is facing.
- Agitate: Highlight the severity of the problem by providing specific examples or personal experiences.
- Solve: Present your product or service as the hero that provides a solution.
The PAS formula leverages the power of pain as a motivator for action. By making your prospect realize the potential consequences of ignoring the problem, they will be compelled to seek a solution.
It’s All About the Question, or QVC
Starting your cold email with a question grabs the recipient’s attention. The QVC formula involves a Question, Value Proposition, and Call to Action.
- Question: Skip the introduction and immediately engage with a question related to your offer and the recipient’s problem.
- Value Proposition: Communicate your core message and highlight what sets you apart.
- Call to Action: End your email with a strong closing call to action that elicits a response.
The QVC formula is highly effective in hooking your prospect from the start. Make your email sound relaxed and friendly, rather than desperate for attention.
Be Nice, or PPP
The PPP formula taps into psychology by starting with praise, which releases dopamine and improves the recipient’s mood.
- Praise: Begin with a genuine compliment towards your prospect.
- Picture: Show how your product or service can help them through cause-and-effect explanations.
- Push: Provide enough information to create curiosity and drive action.
When using the PPP formula, ensure your praise is specific and genuine, highlighting your prospect’s achievements without sounding salesy.
Star of the Show, or SCH
The SCH formula is similar to AIDA but with more distinctive elements: Star, Chain, and Hook.
- Star: Introduce your idea, service, or product positively and catch the recipient’s attention.
- Chain: Present strong facts, advantages, and reasons why your star will improve their life.
- Hook: End with a powerful call to action.
The chain element plays a crucial role in this formula. Back up your star with unique data, testimonials, or case studies, and be creative in your copy.
Stir Their Feelings, or SSS
The SSS formula focuses on character and storytelling:
- Star: Introduce the star of your story, which can be yourself, your prospect, or your idea/product/service.
- Story: Talk about the problem the star faces, maintaining a coherent and captivating narrative.
- Solution: Describe how your solution brings a positive outcome for the star.
Stir emotions by identifying your prospects’ problems, making your solution stand out. Test your final copy to ensure your story is convincing and genuine.
Let Them Go, or BYAF
The BYAF formula utilizes a simple but effective compliance-gaining technique.
Acknowledge that your prospect has the freedom to refuse your offer or request, as proven by psychological studies. This element doubles your chances of receiving a positive response.
By incorporating the “But You Are Free” element, you remove the pressure to respond and present yourself as friendlier, increasing your chances of a favorable outcome.
The Classic, or RDM
The RDM model is based on the structure of Reader’s Digest articles. It emphasizes facts, specificity, few adjectives, telegraphic language, and curiosity.
Make sure your email follows these qualities and incorporates a compelling call to action or an open-ended question that encourages a response.
Download the 10 Failproof Cold Email Formulas Ebook
Writing cold emails can be complex, but you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Use these 10 tried and true formulas to transform your cold emails into meaningful messages that generate leads and build stronger relationships.
To explore these formulas further and access practical examples, download our free ebook, “10 Failproof Cold Email Formulas” from Zenith City News.
Choose your favorite formula and start experimenting with cold emails that convert. Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
