• Make it unique—proves the email isn't automated.
• Make it thoughtful—it's human to appreciate compliments. The recipient is more likely to read the whole message.
Tactic: Get to the point and show clear value.
Why:
Nobody *enjoys* getting cold email. But if you clearly explain why you're reaching out and how you can quickly and easily help, you're more likely to get a response.
Tactic: Add social proof.
Why:
Cold emails trigger uncertainty—"who are you and why should I care about this?"
Social proof reduces that uncertainty by proving that others are already getting value.
Tactic: Your first email should ask for permission, not time.
Why:
Most people aren't willing to get on the phone immediately. Open the dialogue through email before asking for a call.
“Do you think we’re a fit?” works better than “Let’s book a call” at first.
Tactic: Include “persona-matching”
Why:
The sender is an employee who most closely matches the role of the person being emailed.
This builds trust and can lead to better cold email ROI. "I'm one of you!"
Bonus tactic: Cold email works best when people already know who you are.
Why:
If you build an audience/get traction, you're more likely to get a response.
Recap:
1. Add unique, thoughtful personalization 2. Get to the point and show clear value 3. Include social proof 4. First email should ask for permission, not time 5. Use persona-matching
THREAD: 9 growth tactics they continuously recommend.
(On emails, ads, copywriting, TikTok, and more)
1) With referrals, most users don't care about earning a bit of cash.
Instead, try rewarding users with more access to the CORE PRODUCT.
E.g. When you invite someone to Dropbox, you're rewarded w/ extra storage. Storage is what people signed up for—give them more of it 👇
1b) If you can't reward with more access to your core product, then the cash reward must be significant:
• Physical goods: Offer the product for free once someone refers 5 other customers.
• Subscription services: Offer the service for free for ~ 3 months. Not just one month.
• These are not ironclad rules.
• Not every great startup has the same journey. Breakouts are often outliers.
• This is not *at all* an exhaustive list of how to pitch a startup.
These are select *reminders* that the group's investors wanted to highlight.
On a call, you don’t need a strong opening hook—although it helps.
What's important is opening with a clear, concise explanation of:
• What you do
• Why it’s likely to be successful
• Why now's the time to do it
• Who you are