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Seven Words for Cold Email
How to improve open and reply rates
Read Time = 2 minutes
I'm obsessed with the art of cold emailing.
Over the years, I've noticed a few patters across the successful ones.
They almost always start with one of seven words that instantly grab attention and create connection.
In this week's newsletter, I'm sharing the seven trigger words with you.
Plus, some examples of how you to use them in your outreach.
Let’s dive in.
1. "YOU" - Shows Research
Starting with "you" immediately makes the email about the prospect, not you. It signals that you've done your homework.
Example: "You mentioned in your latest blog post that you're focused on reducing customer acquisition costs this quarter..."
Why it works: demonstrates that you've taken time to research them specifically. This isn't a copy/paste email blasted to hundreds of people.
2. "SAW" - Creates Immediacy
"Saw" implies recency and relevance. It positions your outreach as timely and connected to their current situation.
Example: "Saw your team is hiring 3 new product managers, which typically signals a product expansion..."
Why it works: creates urgency and relevance. You're reaching out because of something happening NOW, not just randomly.
3. "HOW" - Drives Curiosity
Starting with a "how" question encourages problem solving and positions you as someone interested in their challenges.
Example: "How is your team avoiding missed invoices with your current billing system?"
Why it works: questions naturally demand answers. The brain wants to resolve open loops, making prospects more likely to engage.
4. "SPOKE" - Builds Credibility
"Spoke" creates an instant connection through someone they already know and trust.
Example: "Spoke with Sarah from your CS team about the challenges your support team is facing with ticket volume..."
Why it works: leverages existing relationships and builds immediate credibility. If you've spoken to someone at their company, you're no longer a stranger.
5. "NOTICED" - Shows Attention
Similar to "saw," but implies deeper observation and understanding.
Example: "Noticed you just launched enterprise pricing on your website, which typically creates new challenges around implementation..."
Why it works: demonstrates that you're paying attention to their business in a detailed way, not just glancing at LinkedIn.
6. "REFERRED" - Leverages Trust
Nothing beats a warm introduction or referral from a mutual connection.
Example: "Referred by Mike from Acme Corp who mentioned you're looking to improve your sales enablement process..."
Why it works: instantly transfers trust from someone they already know to you. The highest open/reply rate of any intro.
7. "REMEMBER" - Creates Connection
Perfect for rekindling conversations with people you've met before.
Example: "Remember when we connected at SaaStr and discussed your team's struggles with forecasting accuracy?"
Why it works: reminds them of an existing relationship they might have forgotten, turning a "cold" email into a "warm" follow-up.
Until next Thursday,
TSG
P.S. I reply to all emails.