Sending cold emails can feel like shooting in the dark, especially when reaching out to investors who receive hundreds of pitches weekly. When done correctly, cold emails can be a powerful tool to get your business noticed and secure investor interest.
In this guide, we’ll break down how to craft effective cold emails, from building strategy to securing replies. These tips will help you maximize your outreach efforts, if you’re raising your first round or seeking later-stage funding.
How to Master Sending Cold emails
1. Start with Strategy
Before writing your first email, you should have a clear outreach plan. Here are three key steps:
- Define Your Target Investors: Research investors who back companies like yours—by industry, stage, geography, or business model. This saves time by focusing on those who are a good fit.
- Create a Target List: After identifying your ideal investors, compile a list using platforms like AngelList, Crunchbase, LinkedIn, or investor databases. You can also review investment theses from VCs or angel groups.
- Warm Up Your Cold Outreach: Whenever possible, complement cold outreach with other channels. Get introductions from mutual connections, engage with investors on LinkedIn, and attend events they may attend. This boosts recognition and improves your email open rates.
2. Crafting the Perfect Cold Email
With a solid strategy in place, it’s time to craft your email—the key to getting an investor’s attention. Here’s how to write a cold email that stands out:
A. Your Subject Line: Your subject line is your first chance to grab attention. If it doesn’t catch their eye, the email won’t be opened.
- Keep it under 60 characters.
- Be specific to their investment focus.
- Avoid generic terms like “Investment Opportunity” or “Pitch”. Here is a better example: “Seed Round – SaaS for Logistics – 30% MoM Growth”.
B. Personalization is Key: Show you’ve done your research by addressing the investor by name and referencing their background or investment focus. For example, : “Hi [Investor’s First Name], I noticed your interest in B2B SaaS solutions, particularly in logistics. We are currently raising a seed round for our SaaS platform, which has seen 40% MoM growth in the last six months…”
C. Get to the Point Quickly: Keep emails under 1000 words. Within the first few lines, state:
- Who you are
- What your business does
- Why they should care. For example: : “…Our platform solves a key pain point for logistics companies by automating route optimization. With 40 enterprise clients already onboarded, we’re looking to raise $1M to expand into new markets.”
D. Showcase Value: Investors want to see your business is more than just another idea.Demonstrate your company’s potential through:
- Revenue growth
- Key partnerships or customers
- Previous investment or committed investors
- Team experience
E. Call to Action: Be direct about next steps and be clear about it. Here’s an example: “I’d love to schedule a 15-minute call to explore working together. Are you available this Thursday at 11 AM?”
3. Attach Your Pitch Deck
Attach your pitch deck but keep it simple and concise (10-12 slides max), covering the essentials. See our pitch deck guide for how to create one .
4. Timing Matters
When you send your email is just as important as what you send. Here are some tips to improve your chances:
- Send during weekdays: Avoid weekends and late-night emails. For international investors, send during their business hours.
- Avoid holidays and vacation seasons: Investors are less responsive during year-end, major holidays, or busy event times.
5. Follow Up
Investors may take time to respond or miss emails. Send a polite follow-up if you haven’t heard back in a week. After the third or fourth follow-up, it’s best to move on. Keep it short, reiterating your interest and asking if they’ve had a chance to review your email.
Make Cold Emails Work for You
In conclusion, sending cold emailing can be challenging, but when done right, it is highly effective. Success comes from being strategic, targeted, and respectful of the recipient’s time. By crafting a concise, value-driven email and following up with the right timing and approach, you boost your chances of getting a response.
Get Your Cold Email Template
We’ve got good news! You don’t have to start from scratch. Access our customizable email template to save time while crafting an email that stands out. Download the cold email template today for free.