Cold Email Template

What's in the template

**Subject line (A/B pair).** Write two versions: one curiosity-based, one benefit-based. Keep each under 9 words. Example slots: [Pain point] or [Specific outcome] — pick what resonates with your segment.

**Personalization line (1–2 sentences).** Reference something real about the recipient — a recent post, funding round, job change, or company initiative. This is the one field you must customize per send. Placeholder: 'I noticed [specific trigger] and wanted to reach out because…'

**Problem statement (1 sentence).** Name the exact pain your prospect is living with right now. Avoid vague filler. Slot: '[Persona] typically struggle with [specific bottleneck] when [context].'

**Value hook (2–3 sentences).** What you do, for whom, and the measurable result. Slot: 'We help [ICP] [achieve outcome] without [common tradeoff]. [Customer type] see [metric] in [timeframe].'

**Social proof line (1 sentence).** One concrete result from a named or described customer. Slot: '[Company type/name] went from [baseline] to [result] in [timeframe].'

**Single CTA.** One ask, no alternatives. Options: a 15-minute call, a one-question reply, or a link to a short demo. Slot: 'Worth a 15-minute call this week? Here's my calendar: [link]'

**P.S. line (optional).** Reinforce one benefit or add a second proof point. P.S. lines get read even when the body doesn't — use it.

How to use it

1. Copy the template into your email tool (Instantly, Apollo, Outreach, or plain Gmail).

2. Fill in the fixed slots — your ICP, pain, outcome, and proof — once per campaign. These stay constant across the sequence.

3. Fill in the personalization line per recipient. This is the only field that changes row by row. If you're doing volume sends, write 3–5 personalization variants for each sub-segment and rotate.

4. Test your subject line pair: send version A to 50% of the list for 24 hours, then send the winner to the rest.

5. Set a 3-touch sequence: Day 1 (this email), Day 4 (short bump — 'Did this get buried?'), Day 8 (breakup email with a soft re-ask). Stop after 3 touches unless you get an out-of-office or soft positive.

**Hadrian can do this for you.** Connect your brand to Hadrian and its agents will generate a fully filled-in cold email sequence — subject line variants, personalization templates by segment, value hook, and proof line — tuned to your ICP. No blank-page problem.

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