Cold Email Templates that Started Million-Dollar B2B SaaS Companies

Cold-emailing is a game-changer for lead generation. But let’s be honest — it can also be a serious time suck. The secret to making it work? The right cold email templates. They’re your ticket to saving time, getting more replies, and racking up those leads without feeling like you're shouting into the void.

After sending thousands of cold emails over the years and helping countless teams do the same, we’ve crafted a collection of templates that are the cream of the crop. These templates have been tried and tested by real sales pros, and they’ve opened doors to high-value relationships and landed significant deals.

But here's the kicker: they’re not a magic bullet. You can’t just copy, paste, and hit “send” and expect your inbox to overflow with new business.

The best cold email templates are living, breathing tools that evolve with you. Personalize them, tweak them, and make them your own to keep those conversations flowing.

Ready to dive in? Here are 10 B2B Cold Email Templates You Need to Generate Leads and Win Clients.

1. Cold email that started a $100M / year company - WP Engine

Неу,
I'm the founder of a new WordPress hosting company.
It's designed for folks like you so I'd love to talk about any pain you've got with WordPress and get some feedback.

Now, I know your time is valuable. You're a consultant.

I don't want you to feel like I'm trying to grab time from you.
I'm very happy to pay whatever you think is fair for an hour of your time. Even if it's more than your normal hourly rate because I appreciate it's a weird one-off thing.

- Jason Cohen

Why It Works: This email is genuine and direct. It offers to compensate the recipient for their time, showing respect for their expertise, which sets a collaborative tone right from the start.

2. Don't Sell, Ask About Frustrations - ConvertKit

Hi Sarah, 

Is anything frustrating you with MailChimp?

The reason I ask is I run ConvertKit, an email marketing platform for professional bloggers.

We've got a lot of great bloggers using us like Katie and Seth from Wellness Mama and Pat Flynn from Smart Passive Income.

I'd love to hear more about how we can build it to better serve bloggers like you. 

Talk soon,

Nathan

Why It Works: This template focuses on the recipient’s pain points instead of making a hard sell. It creates a conversation rather than pitching a product, which feels less pushy and more engaging.

3. One of the top marketing minds, Dave Gerhardt, used to send these one-line cold emails that landed him renowned brands as clients

Hey Harry, 

Is there a reason you aren't doing for your exec team right now?

-Dave

Why It Works: The brevity of this email makes it stand out. It challenges the recipient directly, piquing their interest and encouraging them to respond. The simplicity cuts through the noise.

Why B2B Cold Email Templates Work: The Psychology Behind Them

Cold emails work because they tap into key psychological principles. First, they create curiosity. A well-crafted subject line can intrigue the recipient, making them want to learn more. Second, they establish a personal connection. Unlike mass emails, cold emails can be highly personalized to show that you understand the recipient's specific needs or pain points.

Finally, cold emails provide a clear value proposition. By directly addressing the recipient's challenges or goals, a good cold email shows that you have something valuable to offer, making it more likely the recipient will engage.

4. The “We’re here to help you fix your pain points” Email:

Hi Naomi,

I was going through some feedback about your company and noticed that customer engagement seems to be a challenge, especially in boosting interaction on social media platforms.

Your brand has a lot of potential, and I believe our team at Horizon Creative can help you strengthen that connection with your audience. I'd love to understand your goals for the next few months and explore how we can support your marketing efforts.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Cheers,
Alisa

Why It Works: This email shows that you’ve done your research and understand the recipient's pain points. It offers a specific solution, which is more likely to get a positive response.

5. Asking for an Introduction Email Template:

Hi Sarah,

I’m with WebRevamp, and we’ve recently helped a company similar to yours, XYZ Retail, redesign their website, which resulted in a 35% increase in online conversions.

Could you point me to the right person on your team to discuss how we might do something similar for your business?

Thanks so much!

Best,
Frank

Why It Works: This email is polite and to the point, asking for an introduction to the right person rather than pitching directly. It’s a softer approach that often yields better results.

6. Authority-Building Referral Email:

Hi Michael,

I’ll get straight to the point: We help e-commerce businesses like yours tackle customer retention issues, and our customer engagement platform is extremely effective.

We’ve already helped companies like TrendyThreads, LuxeMart, and ShopEase increase repeat purchases by over 25%.

Do you have 15 minutes tomorrow to chat about how we can help boost your customer retention rates?

[Schedule a call here]

Thanks for your time!

Best,
Lisa

Why It Works: This email builds authority by mentioning successful partnerships with recognizable brands. It also includes a clear CTA, making it easy for the recipient to take the next step.

7. No-Ask Outreach Email

Hi Sarah,

My content team over at BrightMinds just published an article featuring GreenTech Solutions in a piece about Innovative Approaches to Sustainable Energy.

We’re really impressed by what GreenTech is doing in the renewable energy space, and we highlighted your recent solar panel initiative in the article.

I’d love to hear your thoughts, or if there’s anything else you’d like to add!

Best,John

Why It Works: This email gives before it asks. It flatters the recipient by featuring them in content and invites them to engage without demanding anything upfront.

Key Elements of a High-Converting Cold Email

Creating a high-converting cold email is like putting together a puzzle. Each piece — from the subject line to the call to action (CTA) — must fit perfectly to achieve the desired outcome. Let’s break down these elements:

1. Subject Line: This is the first thing your recipient sees, so it has to grab their attention. Keep it short, intriguing, and relevant. Use action words, ask a question, or mention a mutual connection.

2. Introduction: Start with a personalized greeting. Show that you’ve done your homework and know something specific about the recipient or their company.

3. Body: Get to the point quickly. Explain who you are, what you do, and how you can solve a problem or add value. Avoid jargon and keep your language simple and clear.

4. Call to Action (CTA): Be specific about what you want the recipient to do next — whether it’s scheduling a call, visiting your website, or replying to your email. Make it easy and enticing for them to take action.

5. Signature: Include your name, title, and contact information. Adding a professional photo or a link to your LinkedIn profile can also help establish credibility.

8. Straight-to-the-Point Follow-Up Email

Hi Emily,

Not sure if you’ve seen my last email, but I’ll keep this brief to respect your time.

I’m confident that a collaboration between EcoSolutions and GreenTech Innovations would be a fantastic fit.
Here’s why:

Our new eco-friendly energy storage system aligns perfectly with your recent push for sustainable solutions, and our combined expertise will position us as leaders in the green technology space.

All signs point to this project being a major success and drawing significant attention.

Let me know, Emily — I’m really eager to hear your thoughts.

Stay safe,
Alex

9. Top-performing email that helps you book around 10 calls a day:

Hi Jessica,

I’m not sure if you’ve ever explored the work our company is doing, but I thought you might find our latest feature intriguing.

We recently collaborated with EcoTech Solutions on a similar initiative, and they saw a 40% increase in user engagement as a result.

I just wanted to reach out and see if GreenTech Innovations might be interested in exploring this further.

If so, let me know, and we can set up a quick call!

Best,Ryan

10. Enhancing Your Customer Engagement while keeping your email as short as possible:

Hi Taylor,

This is Alex with BrightMinds. We offer advanced customer engagement solutions, and I was wondering if I could grab 5 minutes of your time to discuss how we might benefit your team.

Thanks!

Best,
Alex

Best Practices for Cold Email Outreach in 2024

As the digital landscape evolves, so do cold emailing strategies. Here are a few best practices to keep in mind for 2024:

1. Hyper-Personalization: Move beyond just using the recipient’s name. Reference specific events, achievements, or challenges that relate to them.

2. A/B Testing: Regularly test different subject lines, email lengths, CTAs, and more to find out what works best.

3. Automated Follow-Ups: Set up automated follow-ups to gently remind recipients without being too pushy.

Final Thoughts

Cold emails have the power to transform your outreach efforts and turn prospects into clients, but only if you approach them with the right mindset.

Remember, it’s not just about sending emails; it’s about starting conversations and building relationships. Use these templates as a foundation, but make them your own. Personalize each message, experiment with different approaches, and most importantly, keep testing and iterating.

With the right strategy, your cold emails won’t just sit in inboxes — they’ll drive responses, generate leads, and ultimately help you build a thriving business.

So get out there, hit "send," and watch your growth unfold.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• How often should I follow up after a cold email? Follow up 2-3 times over a few weeks. Make sure each follow-up adds value or new information.

• What’s the best time to send a cold email? The best times are usually early in the morning or late in the afternoon when people are checking their emails.

• How long should a cold email be?

• Keep it under 150 words if possible. People prefer quick reads that get straight to the point.