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How to write a highly effective B2B cold sales email

Are you looking to maximize your returns in the world of B2B marketing? Although there are various digital marketing options, email marketing stands out with an impressive ROI of $36 for every dollar spent, according to Techjury. Its cost-effectiveness is undeniable, making it a go-to strategy for businesses aiming to make a significant impact without breaking the bank.

In B2B email marketing, the importance of effective communication cannot be overstated. Building meaningful connections with potential clients is the backbone of success, and that’s where cold sales emails come into play. Your ability to write targeted messages can be the key differentiator in winning over clients and driving business growth.

In this blog, we serve as your guide through the intricacies of B2B cold email campaigns. We’ll unveil 8 practical and proven strategies that can transform your cold email for sales, enhancing open rates and capturing your reader’s interest effectively. Ready to upgrade your B2B marketing game? Let’s dive in.

1. Know your target audience

To kick off a successful B2B cold sales email campaign, your initial focus should be on understanding your audience. Define your target B2B audience; who are the decision-makers, influencers, and stakeholders you want to reach? Identifying this group is a crucial step in tailoring your message effectively.

Next, do detailed research about the recipient’s industry and pain points. Gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges they face, market trends, and specific pain points that your product or service can address. This groundwork allows you to align your offering seamlessly with their needs.

Now, let’s talk about personalization. It’s so much more than just inserting the recipient’s first name. Write your message to resonate with their industry nuances and challenges. For instance, share fitness classes or gym discounts with those who are into fitness. This personalized touch makes your email templates more likely to resonate with the recipient.

2. Write eye-catching subject lines

Your email’s subject line is the first thing your potential customer notices, right after seeing who it’s from. If your subject line doesn’t grab their attention, it’s likely to end up in the ignored pile with the hundreds of other emails they get every day.

In fact, Inboxally says almost half of people (47%) decide to open an email just because of the subject line. So, nailing that email subject line is key to ensuring your message doesn’t get lost in the shuffle and stands out in your lead’s inbox.

You’ve got a limit of around 60 characters for your subject lines, that’s the sweet spot before they get chopped off. But here’s the pro tip: shoot for even shorter, around 40 characters or less. Why? Well, it ensures your subject line stands out, especially on mobiles. 

3. Keep the email short and personalized

Based on insights from Reply, sales emails that fall within the 200-250 word range tend to secure the highest response rate, reaching an impressive 19%. While writing a cold sales email template, the key is to keep it short and sweet. Nobody likes slogging through a lengthy email, right? So make your point sharp and clear. Think of it like a quick elevator pitch but in written form.

When you’re sending a cold email, you want to respect your recipient’s time. Imagine yourself in their shoes; would you want to read a novel from a stranger? Probably not. So, cut to the chase. State your purpose in a sentence or two and let them know why your email matters to them right from the get-go.

Now, onto the personalization game. Generic messages are so last season. Take a moment to research your recipient and sprinkle some personal touch. Mention their recent achievements, industry news, or specific company information. This shows you’ve done your homework and you’re not just blasting the same email to every Tom, Dick, and Harry!

4. Make your product/service stand out

Another game-changing strategy is putting your product or service’s value front and center in your email. Keep in mind you’re presenting a solution and lay out what makes your offering stand out in the crowd. 

Avoid beating around the bush and dive straight into the awesome things your product can do. Next, hit their pain points. Identify the challenges your potential client might be facing and show them how your product or service is the remedy they’ve been searching for. 

Also, don’t forget to make your unique selling points (USPs) shine as they make you different from the rest of the pack. If it’s unmatched features, exceptional customer service, or unbeatable pricing, let them know what makes your offering a no-brainer. By the time they finish reading your email, they should be nodding and thinking, “Yes, this is exactly what I need!”.

5. Focus on formatting

Focusing on formatting is a crucial aspect of creating an effective B2B cold sales email. It involves structuring your email in a way that enhances readability and engagement. Start by ensuring your email has a clean and professional layout, with clear section headers and concise paragraphs. Utilize bullet points to highlight key information and break up dense blocks of text. Additionally, consider the font type and size, as well as the color scheme, to create a visually appealing email that aligns with your brand identity.

Moreover, pay attention to the mobile responsiveness of your email design. With more professionals accessing emails on their smartphones, your email must look just as good on mobile devices as it does on desktops.

6. Add a clear CTA

CTAs act as the GPS of your cold sales email, guiding your reader smoothly to the destination: making a move. Strategically placing CTAs means being clever with where you put those clickable gems. Don’t make your reader play hide-and-seek; put your CTA where it’s impossible to miss. 

For instance, instead of a generic “Click Here,” try a more B2B-focused CTA like “Schedule a Demo,” “Request a Quote,” or “Download the Whitepaper.” These specific CTAs resonate better with business professionals and indicate the next steps they can take to engage with your offering.

Finally, create your email campaign with clear instructions on the next steps. Think of it as handing someone a roadmap. You want your readers to feel like they’ve got a personal guide leading them to success. No confusion, no guesswork; but a clear CTA that acts as a road from your email to action!

7. Conduct A/B Testing 

A/B testing is an excellent strategy to fine-tune your cold sales email template. It’s all about learning what clicks with your audience and optimizing your approach for maximum impact.

A/B testing is a smart strategy where you create two versions of your email (A and B) with a single tweak in each. For example, in version A of the cold sales email template, you tweak the subject line, and in version B, you play around with the call-to-action button. Send them out to a small sample of your audience and see which version gets more opens, clicks, or whatever metric matters most to you.

8. Create a follow-up strategy

In B2B email marketing, follow-up emails are crucial. They’re not annoying if done right; they’re persistent. Remind your recipient about your offering, and maybe throw in a quick recap of the value you bring to the table.

A comprehensive follow-up strategy involves segmenting your audience based on their engagement level and tailoring follow-up messages accordingly. For instance, for leads who have shown interest but haven’t responded to your initial email, a gentle follow-up reminder highlighting the value proposition or offering additional resources could reignite their interest. 

On the other hand, for leads who have interacted with your previous emails but haven’t taken the desired action, personalized follow-ups addressing their specific concerns or objections could be more effective.

Furthermore, setting up automated drip campaigns allows you to stay top-of-mind with prospects over time, delivering relevant content and touchpoints based on their behavior and preferences.

What’s next?

These 8 practical strategies are not just tips but proven methods to enhance your open rates, gain your reader’s interest, and ultimately drive results. Together, these strategies form a powerhouse approach to promote your B2B email marketing game and make meaningful connections with your target audience.

If you’re ready to turn these strategies into action, PosterMyWall’s Email Maker is your go-to tool. From designing, and editing to scheduling and publishing, this platform streamlines your email campaigns efficiently. Create a cold sales email template today and watch your email outreach soar to new heights.

Hira Yousaf

Hira is a Digital Marketer at PosterMyWall. Hira enjoys writing, so she looks forward to exploring different niches. When she's not working, she's either on a trip making new friends, jotting down her thoughts, or just spending quality time with her two cats, Rio and Dusty!