How to break through the noise with cold email in 2024

Want to stand out in crowded inboxes? Here's how to make cold emails work in 2024:

Personalize: Use AI tools to customize content at scale
Keep it brief: Aim for 50-125 words max
Add video: Boost click rates by up to 300%
Follow up smart: 4-7 emails get 3x more responses
Time it right: Send around 10-11 AM in recipient's time zone

Key stats:

25% average open rate for cold emails
8.5% average reply rate
9% response rate with basic personalization

Cold email still works for B2B lead gen, but you need to cut through the clutter. Here's how to do it:

Use AI for hyper-personalization (e.g. Sendspark for custom videos)
Leverage data to tailor your approach
Craft attention-grabbing subject lines (60 chars or less)
Make preview text count
Get to the point fast (8 second rule)
End with a clear, easy next step

The bottom line: Be smart, personal, and valuable. Generic spam won't cut it anymore.

Today's Cold Email Environment

Cold emailing in 2024? It's like shouting in a packed stadium. Everyone's yelling, but who's listening? Let's dive into the challenges and how to make your voice heard.

Cold Email Roadblocks

First up: spam filters. They're getting smarter, and your carefully crafted message might never see daylight. Here's the scary part: if just 1 in 1,000 of your emails gets flagged as spam, you're in trouble. ISPs start raising eyebrows at anything above a 0.1% spam rate. Push it too far, and your account could get the boot.

But dodging the spam folder is just the start. You're up against an email tsunami. The average pro gets bombarded with 121 emails every single day. Your cold email? It's just a drop in that overflowing inbox.

How People Actually Read Emails Now

Forget the days of carefully reading every word. Now, it's all about the quick scan. Your recipients are:

Checking emails on the go (nearly half of all email opens happen on mobile)
Making snap judgments based on preview text
Hunting for instant value

What's this mean for you? Your email needs to grab eyeballs FAST. Your subject line isn't your only hook anymore – that preview text is your secret weapon.

AI: Your Cold Email Superpower

AI is shaking things up, and smart emailers are jumping on board. Take Sendspark: they're using AI to personalize video content at scale. Imagine recording one video, then tweaking it for each recipient with AI. That's how you cut through the noise.

But AI isn't just about personalization. It's about:

Finding the perfect send time based on recipient habits
Crafting subject lines that click with specific audiences
Constantly fine-tuning your approach based on response rates

Here's a real-world win: During the Covid pandemic, Lifesize used data-driven personalization in their cold emails. The result? A 57% boost in opens, 82% more responses, and 31% year-over-year revenue growth.

To stand out in 2024's cold email jungle, you need to be smarter, more personal, and more relevant than ever. It's not about flooding inboxes; it's about sending emails that matter. Harness AI, focus on mobile-friendly designs, and always lead with value. That's how you break through the noise and get noticed.

Adding Video to Your Emails

Want to cut through the inbox clutter? Video is your ace in the hole. Let's explore how video can boost your cold emails and ramp up those response rates.

Why Video Works in Cold Emails

When's the last time a wall of text got you pumped? Video grabs eyeballs because it's how we naturally chat. It's like a face-to-face convo, but through your inbox.

Here's the kicker: just dropping "video" in your subject line can jack up open rates by 6%+. You're already winning before they even peek at your content.

But it's not just about opens. Throw a personalized video in your welcome email, and you're looking at 80% more opens than plain text. Why? Because video lets the real you shine through. It's a lot harder to ignore a person talking to you than to skim past another cookie-cutter email.

Crafting Custom Videos with Sendspark

Thinking, "Sounds great, but I'm no Spielberg"? No sweat. Tools like Sendspark make whipping up personalized videos a breeze.

Here's your game plan:

Nail down your goal: Before you hit record, know what you're after. Introducing yourself? Explaining a product? Answering a question?
Sketch out a script: Keep it simple. Hook 'em, tell a quick story, offer value, and wrap with a clear call to action.
Record and personalize: Sendspark lets you record once, then use AI to tweak for each recipient. It's like email magic.
Craft your email: Your video's the star, but your email needs to back it up. Cook up a killer subject line (don't forget "video"!) and keep the text snappy.

Best Video Length and Format

Keep it short and punchy. Shoot for about 2 minutes. That's enough to cover the basics without losing your viewer.

Format-wise, think casual and real. You're not gunning for an Oscar here. A simple talking head with decent lighting and clear audio will do the trick.

Using AI to Customize Videos

This is where it gets juicy. AI isn't just for cranking out emails anymore. Tools like Sendspark are using it to personalize video content at scale.

Picture this: you record one video, then AI tweaks it for hundreds of recipients. It could swap in the recipient's name at the start, or adjust examples to fit their industry. The result? Videos that feel tailor-made, without the time-suck of individual recordings.

Here's a real-world win: Content Marketing Media increased meetings 50% using Sendspark in their email outreach on behalf of their clients.

Writing Better Cold Emails

In 2024, getting your cold emails read is tough. But don't sweat it. Here's how to make your emails stand out.

Writing Better Subject Lines

Your subject line needs to grab attention fast:

Keep it short. Most pros use 60 characters or less.
Make it personal. Adding a name or company can boost open rates by 10%.
Get curious. "Boost your sales by 30%?" beats "Sales improvement opportunity".

"The subject line is your email's handshake. Make it firm, friendly, and memorable."

Test different subject lines. What works for one crowd might not for another.

Making Preview Text Work

Preview text is your subject line's sidekick. It should add, not repeat:

Subject: "10x your cold email game?" Preview: "Learn how we grew response rates by 82%"

This combo gives readers a reason to click and sets the stage.

Starting Your Email Right

You've got 8 seconds. Use them wisely:

Use their name. "Hey Sarah", feels real.
Show you've done your homework. "Saw your recent funding round. Congrats!" proves you care.
Get to the point. Why are you writing? What's in it for them?

Writing the Main Message

Here's where you deliver:

Stick to one main idea.
Use short paragraphs and sentences.
Highlight key points with bold or italic text.

Keep it under 111 words. Any longer and you're asking for trouble.

Ending with Clear Next Steps

Your closing should hit hard:

One clear call-to-action (CTA).
Make it easy. "Got 15 minutes this week?" beats "Let's schedule a 1-hour demo".
Create urgency, but be cool. "I've got 3 slots open next week" works better than "Limited time offer!"

Pro Tip: Add a P.S. It's often the most-read part of an email.

Making Emails Personal for Many People

In 2024, personalization is the secret sauce for cold emailing success. But how do you make emails feel personal when you're reaching out to a ton of prospects? Let's look at some ways to scale personalization without losing that human touch.

Using Data to Personalize

Good personalization starts with good data. Here's how to use it:

Slice and dice your list: Group your prospects by industry, company size, or potential value. This lets you tailor your message for each group.
Spot the right moment: Keep an eye out for company news or changes. These give you a perfect reason to reach out.
Snoop (nicely) on social media: Check LinkedIn or Twitter for insights. A quick mention of a shared interest can work wonders.

Here's a real-world win: Lifesize, a video conferencing company, teamed up with Adobe to boost their personalization game. They tracked website visits and user data to sort 300,000 leads into seven groups. The result? Open rates shot up 57% and responses jumped 82%. That's what data-driven personalization can do.

Tools to Help You Personalize

You don't have to do all this by hand. Some tools can help:

Smartlead: This AI tool creates sales copy for different personas and links up with data providers for precise targeting. Their Pro Plan handles up to 30,000 active leads for $94/month.
Sendspark: Great for video personalization. Record one video and tweak it for multiple recipients using AI. Our Solo Plan starts at $39/month for individuals.

These tools can save you tons of time while keeping your emails feeling personal and on-point.

Adding Your Own Touch

Even with automation, adding a human touch is key. Here's how to do it at scale:

Create flexible templates: Write email templates with blanks for personal info. This could be the prospect's name, company, or a recent win.
Use mix-and-match content: Prepare different paragraphs for various industries or pain points. Your email tool can then pick the right one based on who's getting the email.
Personalize the bookends: Even if the middle of your email is mostly templated, a custom opening and closing can make the whole thing feel more personal.

Writing for Different Groups

Not all prospects are the same. Adjust your approach based on potential deal size:

Small deals: Keep it simple. Use basic personalization like first name and company name.
Medium deals: Step it up a notch. Mention mutual connections or recent company news. Show you've done your homework.
Large deals: Pull out all the stops. Address specific challenges they're facing based on deep research.

Following Up Smart

Want to boost your response rates without being annoying? Let's talk about the art of following up on cold emails in 2024.

Planning Your Follow-ups

Here's how to craft a solid follow-up plan:

1. Map out your sequence

Decide how many follow-ups to send and when. Did you know? Campaigns with 4-7 emails get 3x more responses than those with fewer.

2. Mix it up

Each follow-up should bring something new to the table. Maybe a fresh take on your offer or a juicy piece of content.

3. Automate (but make it personal)

Tools like Sendspark can help you schedule and personalize follow-ups at scale. Their Solo Plan ($39/month) lets you create custom video content for each recipient.

When to Hit Send

Timing is key. Here's the scoop:

Wait 3-7 days after your first email before following up. Give those busy prospects some breathing room.
Space out your emails. Try this: 3 days, then 5 days, then a week.
Aim for 10-11 AM in their time zone. That's when follow-ups get the most eyeballs.

Here's a wild stat: 80% of sales need at least 5 follow-ups. But 44% of salespeople throw in the towel after just one try. Don't be that person!

When They Bite

Got a response? Great! Now what?

Be quick: Reply within 24 hours. Show them you're on it.
Address concerns head-on: They've got questions? Give 'em straight answers.
Bring value: Even if it's not a "yes", offer something useful. A relevant case study, perhaps?
Keep it snappy: Your follow-up should be shorter than your first email. Respect their time.

Warming Up Cold Contacts

Sometimes conversations fizzle out. Here's how to reignite the spark:

1. Jog their memory

Remind them of your last chat or email. Show you've been paying attention.

2. Bring fresh news

Got a new product feature? An industry insight? Share it.

3. Be human

A dash of personality goes a long way. Maybe mention a shared interest you spotted on their socials.

4. Mix up your channels

If email's a dead end, try LinkedIn or a quick call.

"A well-crafted follow-up email can kickstart a relationship with a prospect, even if they've never heard of your business before."

Conclusion

Cold email in 2024 isn't about spamming inboxes. It's about being smart, personal, and valuable. Here's how to cut through the noise:

Key Strategies for Standout Cold Emails

Make it personal Generic messages don't cut it anymore. Personalized subject lines can boost open rates by 26%. Use tools like Sendspark to create custom videos for each recipient. Show them you've done your homework.

Keep it brief Aim for 50-125 words in your email body. That's where response rates peak at just over 50%. You're not writing a novel - you're teasing content.

Use video Video in cold emails can boost click-through rates by up to 96%. Keep it under 90 seconds for maximum impact.

Follow up (but don't be annoying) Campaigns with 4-7 emails get 3x more responses than those with fewer. Space them out and bring new value each time.

Time it right Send your follow-ups around 10-11 AM in the recipient's time zone. That's prime reading time.

How to break through the noise with cold email in 2024

How to break through the noise with cold email in 2024