The "Cold Start" Sequence
Jan 6, 2026
Outbound Strategy
Most founders write cold emails like essays. They talk about themselves, their history, and their features. Executives delete these instantly. You have exactly 3 seconds on a mobile screen to earn attention. We don't use rigid "templates" that get burned out; we use a modular framework designed to signal "Peer" status, not "Salesperson" status. Here is the code to crack the inbox.
The Hook: Pattern Interrupt
Never start with "I hope this finds you well." It is the kiss of death.
The goal of the first sentence is not to sell; it is to prove you aren't a bot. We use "Observation Hooks" based on the data we gathered in Clay.
Bad: "My name is John and I run an agency..." (They don't care).
Good: "Saw you just opened the VP of Sales role in London, looks like a big push for EMEA."
This is a Pattern Interrupt. It forces the reader to stop scanning and start reading because it is specifically about them and their current reality.
The Bridge: Problem & Solution
Connect your observation to a specific, expensive pain point.
Now that you have their attention, you must earn their interest. Do not list features. List "Solved Problems."
The Formula: "Typically, when [Company Type] hits [Trigger Event], they struggle with [Specific Pain]. We help you solve this by [Mechanism]."
Example: "Typically, when US startups expand to the UK, they struggle to book meetings without a local network. We plug you into our pre-built infrastructure so you can skip the 'cold start' phase."
The Social Proof & Low-Friction Ask
Don't ask for marriage on the first date. Ask for interest, not time.
End with credibility and a soft landing.
Proof: "We recently helped [Competitor/Similar Co] add $300k to their pipeline in 90 days."
The Ask: Never ask for "15 minutes on Tuesday." That feels like a meeting (work). Instead, ask for interest.
The Closer: "Open to seeing the playbook?" or "Worth a brief chat?"
This "Interest-Based CTA" lowers the pressure and doubles the response rate.
