Three years ago, I built an email sequence so simple it felt... dumb.
Too basic. Too clean. No "clever hacks."
I almost scrapped it.
But I sent it anyway—and replies started rolling in. Then deals. Then clients who said:
“I don’t usually respond to cold emails, but this one felt like it was just for me.”
Here’s that exact sequence—refined over 3 years, still my go-to:
Email 1: Relevance + Soft CTA
This isn’t an intro. It’s a spark. A signal you’re not another “Hi [First Name]” bot.
Start with a real-world trigger. Something specific.
Make the value stupidly clear.
End with a no-pressure CTA. ("Open to chat?" works. Don’t overthink it.)
Email 2: Fresh Angle
If email #1 was a handshake, this is the sideways smirk.
Ask a new question. Spark curiosity.
Tell a tiny story. A use case. A micro-win.
Never repeat yourself. Reframe instead.
Email 3: Human Nudge
No pitch. Just presence.
“Is it worth a conversation?”
Friendly. Casual. You’re not chasing, you’re checking in.
Email 4: The Breakup
Surprisingly, this is where magic happens.
“Should I close the loop?”
Keep it warm, respectful—and a little open-ended.
✅ Action Steps to Beat the Excuse Trap (This Week)
Rewrite Your Personalized First Lines – Make clear reference to the recipient's recent work or achievements.
Check and reconfigure your sender reputation – Set up proper email authentication protocols like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.
Use my 4-step sequence – It keeps the conversation going and increases the chances of a response.
BEFORE YOU CLOSE THIS TAB...
You don’t need more tools. You need more moments—where your message hits just right, where someone pauses, and replies, and something begins.
Because great outreach isn’t all about chasing. It’s about choosing your words (and timing) so well, they do the work for you—even when you’re asleep.
So maybe the real question this week isn’t what to send...
It’s this:
What would your dream client feel if your email landed at just the right time—and said exactly what they needed to hear?
Sit with that.
— Sheriff
