Cold Email Template (Someone you've never met)
By Ezra Kohn
There are a multitude of reasons you might need to send a Cold Email at some point — i.e. an email to someone you have no prior relationship with. You might want to set up an interview with a manager; be connected to someone else this person knows; or maybe you want this person to read a manuscript of your newest 500 page book. Regardless, there are a few ways to make a cold email effectively persuade the recipient to help you with a favor, and to make the email a little less ‘cold.’
Know who you’re emailing. This is also a good thing to remember when sending out cover letters, or really any professional email. You might’ve found them on a company website, but just googling someone’s name usually gets some good results. Make sure you show in your email that you’ve done your research — drop a quick line or comment about a detail that might not otherwise have been apparent. For example, if you’re emailing someone at a music review publication, you could say: I thought your review of Solange’s A Seat at the Table was wonderfully written and on point. And then make sure you relate this detail to why you’re emailing them, e.g.: I’m really passionate about similarly R&B fusion/Motown Revival artists, and wanted to contact you about… etc.
Why this person specifically? Everybody feels good when they realize they’re unique. Let your recipient know that they’re the one you need to contact from out of the many. E.g., unlike the other journalists at MusicNews.com, your reviews are always particularly illuminating and well crafted. Or, let’s say you’re trying to set up an interview with someone you were referred to: My classmate, Tom Bombadil, put me in contact with you. He explained to me that your company is [awesome for these reasons], and that if I really want to make a change in this field, I should talk to you. Flattery goes a long, long way; but this doesn’t mean you need to make yourself come off as submissive, either.
Make yourself matter. You know that this person can help you out, and that they can benefit in return. But you’ve got to explain why. Quickly explain why you’re capable and exceptional, and don’t worry about coming off as bragging. For example: I have extensive experience in music journalism, from interning for a local newspaper’s music column to setting up an on-campus music blog. Moreover, let the recipient know how you can benefit them, e.g.: I not only have beneficial professional relationships with my local newspaper’s music column’s staff, my on-campus music blog could provide your reviews with an eager, youthful audience.
Refrain from sounding robotic. Read the email out loud after you write it — if it doesn’t sound like the way you talk, albeit a more formal way of talking, edit it until it does.
Keep an eye on the word count. Though you want to get all these points across, you also want to keep the email concise and easy to read.
The structure of a cold email changes situationally, and they’ll become drastically easier the more you send out. But here’s an example of one, let’s say if you’re trying to arrange for an informal interview with someone so as to get more contacts within a certain professional sector:
Dear Ms. Smith,
My name is _____, I was referred to you by my classmate, _____. I was told that you work at [company name], and that you recently started a project concerning [issue]. I’m extremely interested in pursuing [issue] after graduation, and I understand that you are uniquely qualified in this sector, because [reasons]. I have extensive background in [issue], and not only have developed [professional skills], but also have a drive and passion for [issue], which you can see through [personal project/experience].
Could I ask to meet you sometime in the coming weeks to discuss your experiences in [professional sector], and to better establish myself within this community? You can reach me via this email, or at [phone number].
Thank you so much, and I look forward to hearing from you soon!
Sincerely,
[name]