Aeralis is shutting down on October 2, 2026. Existing plans stay active until the end of their billing period. Account data is deleted on November 1, 2026.
Aeralis
Free Template

Cold Outreach Email Template

TL;DR

A cold outreach email should be under 100 words, reference something specific about the recipient or their company, state one clear reason for reaching out, and ask one low-commitment question. The best cold emails look like 1-to-1 messages — not marketing blasts — and open with curiosity rather than a pitch.

When to use this template

Use a cold outreach email for sales prospecting, partnership inquiries, fundraising, or job outreach. The goal is to start a conversation, not close a deal in the first email.

Cold Outreach email templates

Scenario 1

B2B SaaS prospecting

Subject

Noticed [specific observation about their company]

Body

Hi [First Name],

Noticed that [specific, non-obvious observation — they just launched X, are hiring for Y, shipped an update to Z].

We help [companies like theirs] with [specific outcome]. For context, [one-sentence proof: metric, customer name, or result]. Not sure if this is on your radar, but [question that's easy to answer — "is this something your team is working on?" or "is [outcome] on your Q[N] list?"].

Happy to send a short Loom if the timing is right.

Best,
[Your name]
[Title, Company]

Scenario 2

Reaching out to a potential mentor

Subject

Quick question about [specific topic they're known for]

Body

Hi [First Name],

I've been working on [brief context] and keep running into [specific challenge]. Your [talk / article / thread] on [topic] was the clearest take I've read — especially the part about [specific point].

One question I couldn't find a clear answer to: [specific, thoughtful question].

No expectation of a full response, but if you have 2 minutes to point me in the right direction, it would mean a lot. Happy to share what I learn.

Thanks,
[Your name]

Scenario 3

Investor outreach

Subject

[Company] — [one-line value prop]

Body

Hi [First Name],

We're [Company], building [one-sentence description]. In the last [timeframe], we've [key traction metric — users, revenue, growth rate].

I noticed you've invested in [portfolio company] and [portfolio company], which both tackle [adjacent problem]. Our approach is different because [unique insight].

Would you be open to a 20-minute call? I'll come with [specific artifact: deck, metrics, product demo].

Best,
[Your name]
Founder, [Company]
[Deck link / data room]

Tips for writing a better cold outreach email

  • 1Open with a specific observation about them, not about you. "Noticed you just launched X" beats "I'm reaching out because...".
  • 2Include one piece of social proof: a customer name, a metric, or a specific result. Don't claim "industry-leading" without evidence.
  • 3End with a question, not a pitch. Questions get replies; pitches get deleted.
  • 4Keep it under 100 words. Cold emails over 150 words look like mass sends.
  • 5Never use fake personalization ("I loved your recent post!" when you didn't read it). It's transparent and kills trust.

Stop copy-pasting templates

Aeralis writes cold outreach emails — and every other type — directly in your Gmail inbox. It learns your writing style from your sent emails, so drafts sound like you wrote them, not like a template.

Add to Gmail — it's freeTry the free AI email writer

Free tier: 8 emails/month. No credit card required.

Frequently asked questions

What is the average open rate for cold emails?

Industry benchmarks (Lemlist, Woodpecker, 2024 data) put good cold email open rates at 40-60%. Below 30% suggests deliverability or subject line issues. The top 10% of campaigns hit 70%+ opens.

What is a good reply rate for cold outreach?

5-10% is solid. Anything over 15% is exceptional and usually requires hyper-personalization. Below 2% suggests your list, targeting, or message needs work — don't just send more volume.

Is it legal to send cold emails?

In the US, cold B2B email is legal under CAN-SPAM if you include a physical address and an unsubscribe option. In the EU/UK, GDPR requires a legitimate interest basis — B2B outreach to business contacts usually qualifies but you must honor opt-outs.

Related email templates

Sales Follow-up Email Template →

Use a sales follow-up email when a prospect has gone silent after a demo, trial, proposal, or initial conversation. The goal is to surface a yes, a no, or the real objection.

Introduction Email Template →

Use an introduction email when you're starting a new role, reaching out to a new contact for the first time, or introducing two people to each other. The goal is to establish context quickly and lower the barrier to a reply.

Networking Email Template →

Use a networking email when reconnecting with old colleagues, reaching out to new contacts at industry events, asking for introductions, or exploring career moves. The goal is to build genuine professional relationships, not transactional asks.

View all email templates