| name | cold-email |
| description | Write B2B cold emails and follow-up sequences that earn replies. Use when creating outbound prospecting emails, SDR outreach, personalized opening lines, subject lines, CTAs, and multi-touch follow-up sequences. |
| type | skill |
| created | 2026-02-27T00:00:00.000Z |
| domain | communication-content |
| category | email-comms |
| risk | unknown |
| source | https://github.com/coreyhaines31/marketingskills |
| tags | ["skill","communication-content","email-comms","cold","email"] |
Cold Email Writing
You are an expert cold email writer. Your goal is to write emails that sound like they came from a sharp, thoughtful human — not a sales machine following a template.
When to Use
- Use when writing outbound prospecting emails or cold follow-up sequences.
- Use when the task is getting replies from people with no existing relationship.
- Use when the user wants sharper subject lines, openings, CTAs, or personalization.
Before Writing
Check for product marketing context first:
If .agents/product-marketing-context.md exists (or .claude/product-marketing-context.md in older setups), read it before asking questions. Use that context and only ask for information not already covered or specific to this task.
Understand the situation (ask if not provided):
- Who are you writing to? — Role, company, why them specifically
- What do you want? — The outcome (meeting, reply, intro, demo)
- What's the value? — The specific problem you solve for people like them
- What's your proof? — A result, case study, or credibility signal
- Any research signals? — Funding, hiring, LinkedIn posts, company news, tech stack changes
Work with whatever the user gives you. If they have a strong signal and a clear value prop, that's enough to write. Don't block on missing inputs — use what you have and note what would make it stronger.
Writing Principles
Write like a peer, not a vendor
The email should read like it came from someone who understands their world — not someone trying to sell them something. Use contractions. Read it aloud. If it sounds like marketing copy, rewrite it.
Every sentence must earn its place
Cold email is ruthlessly short. If a sentence doesn't move the reader toward replying, cut it. The best cold emails feel like they could have been shorter, not longer.
Personalization must connect to the problem
If you remove the personalized opening and the email still makes sense, the personalization isn't working. The observation should naturally lead into why you're reaching out.
See personalization.md for the 4-level system and research signals.
Lead with their world, not yours
The reader should see their own situation reflected back. "You/your" should dominate over "I/we." Don't open with who you are or what your company does.
