cold email
Stranger's business message
A cold email is an unsolicited message sent to someone with no prior relationship or contact—the email equivalent of a cold call.
Typically used in sales, recruiting, or networking: I sent a cold email to the CEO and she actually replied.
The modifier cold emphasizes the absence of any warm introduction or existing connection.
Not asked for
- unwantedNot wished for
- spamUnsolicited bulk messages
- uninvitedWithout formal welcome
- unwelcomeNot wanted here
impersonal · annoying · pushy · aggressive · presumptuous · bothersome · invasive · irritating
Searching for mineral wealth
- introductionPreliminary section or presentation
- pitchFrequency of sound
- first contactHumanity's alien introduction
- icebreakerTension-easing social activity
value proposition · follow-up · response rate · lead generation · targeting · research · personalization · hook
Email's topic summary
- click-throughActivating a hyperlink
- conversionAct of changing states
- deliverabilityCapacity to be sent successfully
- A/B testingComparing two variants' performance
personalization · segmentation · autoresponder · call to action · opt-in · unsubscribe · analytics · engagement
A joining or relation
- introductoryServing as a beginning
- professionalCredentialed in one's field
- referralDirecting someone elsewhere
- alumniFormer school members
industry · mentorship · collaboration · relationship building · informational interview · career · advice seeking · coffee chat
Self-employed project work
- proposalFormal plan for consideration
- partnershipShared business arrangement
- investmentDeploying capital for returns
- startupNew business enterprise
collaboration · venture · pitch deck · business development · guest post · sponsorship · affiliate · joint venture
unsolicited
Not asked for
unwelcome · impersonal · annoying · pushy · aggressive · presumptuous · bothersome · invasive · irritating · nuisance
prospecting
Searching for mineral wealth
- introductionPreliminary section or presentation
- pitchFrequency of sound
- first contactHumanity's alien introduction
icebreaker · value proposition · follow-up · response rate · lead generation · targeting · research · personalization · hook · opening line
subject line
Email's topic summary
- click-throughActivating a hyperlink
- conversionAct of changing states
- deliverabilityCapacity to be sent successfully
A/B testing · personalization · segmentation · autoresponder · call to action · opt-in · unsubscribe · analytics · engagement · template
connection
A joining or relation
- introductoryServing as a beginning
- professionalCredentialed in one's field
- referralDirecting someone elsewhere
alumni · industry · mentorship · collaboration · relationship building · informational interview · career · advice seeking · coffee chat · warm lead
freelance
Self-employed project work
- proposalFormal plan for consideration
- partnershipShared business arrangement
- investmentDeploying capital for returns
startup · collaboration · venture · pitch deck · business development · guest post · sponsorship · affiliate · joint venture
- emailsreply, forward, CC, BCC, subject line
- solicitationsrequest, plea, entreaty, appeal, solicitations
- emailinbox, from, send, to, outbox
- salessale, sales, selling, salesperson, salesman
- freelancingfreelancer, contractor, freelance, consultant, client