Do you struggle to get responses after sending cold emails to a potential client? After you pour time and energy into writing the perfect cold email, you were so sure you’d get responded to—only to hear nothing but crickets. Yes, it can be very frustrating, so you wonder whether your emails got stuck in spam or were even opened at all.
If you’re new to crafting cold emails or you want to up your game to get more positive responses, keep reading to know the 10 cold email tips you need as a freelancer.
What is a Cold Email?
A cold email is a first-time email you send to someone without prior contact or connection with the intention of initiating a relationship.
In contrast to warm and hot emails, which are directed towards people with whom you already have a connection, cold emails are usually used to introduce yourself, make a service or product pitch, or look into possible business ventures with people unfamiliar with you or your work.
Sending a cold email to a potential client is a common yet effective strategy for freelancers to make their services known and get more clients. If you’re just starting and don’t have a network of people who can refer you—you can send cold emails. But for a casual approach, you can also send a cold DM over social media.
If you want to be among the successful freelancers killing it, you need to invest not just in your professional skills but in your sales skills as well. That means learning how to write a pitch, so you can get comfortable sending cold emails for jobs. Here’s how to do it.
10 Cold Email tips for Finding New Freelance Clients
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Do your research
Sending a cold email without doing your research is like going to a job interview without knowing anything about the company—it’s a recipe for disaster. Put some time into researching the prospective client. How do they go about things? What challenges are they having, and how can you help with your services?
With these pointers, you can easily tailor your email to address their unique challenges—which shows that you’re an expert with the solution they need. This can really make a big difference in your pitch.
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Nail your subject line
Your subject line has got to be too good to ignore since it will be the first thing the person receiving it sees. So, think of it as your headline—it should draw the reader in and get them to open the email, but keep it short, specific, and interesting.
For instance, “A Fresh and Effective Approach to Your Marketing Strategy,” has a much greater chance of being opened than “Freelance Services Available.” It is to pique their curiosity to the point that they desire to know more.
Read also: Top 10 Online Jobs for Freelancers in Africa
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Get personal with your pitch
Since cold emailing is about pitching your services, get personal with it. Yes, using your recipients real names is a way to get personal, but it’s only surface-level.
Now, when you send a cold email that is tailored to the recipient, it shows that you are a serious freelancer—use the research you’ve done about the client to your advantage. Try to find a point of reference by mentioning the reason you are emailing this particular prospective client and why you possess the exact skills that they may need.
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Get right to the point
Less is more when it comes to cold emails. Your recipient is too busy to read an essay-length introduction or your career history. Rather, make your email clear and concise. Start with;
- A brief introduction about yourself.
- How you found the recipient.
- And your purpose for contacting them.
The idea is to avoid having them read through paragraphs of text, so make it simple for them to grasp who you are and what you have to offer.
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Show that you understand their pain points
You have to persuade them at this point that you are worthy of their time. Turn the spotlight on them rather than on yourself and what you’ve accomplished. Focus on how your unique skills and experiences can help provide the solution they need. Make it obvious that you are aware of their needs and that you can provide them with your offer.
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Back up your cold email with proof
Okay, you’ve made your pitch clear in your cold email—it’s time to show some proof. A strong way to show you’re capable of getting the job done is to include a link to your website, portfolio, case study, or even a project you’ve taken on that shows your skills and experience.
This will make it easier for your potential client to see the quality of work you bring to the table.
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Use referrals when possible
If you have satisfied clients already, ask them to refer you to any other contacts they think you could benefit from your services. In cases where they’re not willing to make the introduction, ask permission to use their name when reaching out.
You can use this cold email template sample;
Hi [name of recipient],
My name is [your name], and I’m a freelancer specializing in [your service]. I just wrapped up a project with [name of satisfied client], and thought it would be appropriate to reach out to you.
Are you having any challenges with [pain point experienced by shared contact]? If so, let’s hop on a call to see if there’s a chance we can work together. I look forward to your response.
Thank you for your time.
Best regards,
(Your name)
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End with one clear call to action
Don’t leave them guessing about the next steps. Tell them exactly what you want them to do, not asking them to check out your portfolio and website, and your LinkedIn profile all at once. Make it easy to say ‘Yes’ to you.
End your cold email with a clear and specific call to action. Stick to one CTA—whether you’re asking to schedule a quick call, requesting feedback on your proposal, or having a chat.
Read also: How to Sell Anything: Methods for Sale success
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Send e-mails for follow-up
There are times when even the best cold emails may get lost in the stack. If you don’t hear back in 1-2 weeks, it’s okay to send a follow-up email, keep it clear and concise. And if, after sending one or two follow-up emails, you didn’t hear back, just forget it.
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Keep an eye on what works and replicate it
Cold emailing is a hot skill, and just like any other skill, it takes time to perfect. The best bet is to pay attention to what works and what doesn’t—including your cold email format.
Bottom Line
That’s it! 10 cold email tips to help you get it right and start landing those clients. Taking these tips and cold email format into consideration, it’s time to put it into practice, and who knows?
It might be your next cold email that may just be the one. Happy Emailing!
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