What are effective rebuttals against the argument that 'everyone does cold email'?
Summary
What email marketers say9Marketer opinions
Email marketer from Quora argues that cold emailing is becoming less effective due to increased spam filtering and user awareness. Personalized and targeted outreach through other channels is more likely to yield positive results.
Email marketer from Sales Hacker explains that cold email is often viewed as spam. Building a strong online presence, participating in relevant communities, and using targeted content marketing can attract leads more effectively and ethically. Focus on providing value and building trust.
Email marketer from HubSpot notes that cold emailing can damage your sender reputation, leading to deliverability issues and potential blacklisting. Building an opt-in list through valuable content and permission-based marketing is a more sustainable approach.
Email marketer from Warrior Forum suggests focusing on content marketing and SEO to attract inbound leads instead of relying on cold email. Creating valuable content that answers potential customers' questions can lead to more qualified and receptive leads.
Email marketer from Woodpecker explains that while personalization can improve cold email results, it doesn't address the fundamental issue of sending unsolicited emails. Even highly personalized spam is still spam. Focus on acquiring leads through ethical and permission-based methods.
Email marketer from Reddit explains that sending cold emails to individuals in regions with strict data protection laws like GDPR can lead to legal issues and fines. Compliance requires explicit consent, which is generally absent in cold email scenarios.
Email marketer from Neil Patel Digital argues that while cold email can work, it's less effective than warm outreach. Building relationships and providing value before asking for something increases success rates. Focus on targeted, personalized messages and consider alternative outreach methods for better results.
Marketer from Email Geeks shares a story about a client whose domain was blacklisted by Spamhaus due to sending marketing campaigns to a purchased list, causing executives to be unable to send emails.
Email marketer from LinkedIn advocates for relationship building over cold emailing. Engaging with prospects on social media, attending industry events, and providing value upfront creates a warmer and more receptive audience.
What the experts say5Expert opinions
Expert from Word to the Wise explains that the idea that 'everyone does it' doesn't make cold email acceptable, especially because recipients likely don't want it. If your recipients did want your emails then they would already be on your mailing list. Your cold emails will hurt your domain reputation, and no deliverability vendor will be able to fully help you.
Expert from Word to the Wise shares that instead of relying on cold email, consider alternative methods such as building relationships and becoming known in your target community. This approach can lead to more receptive and engaged prospects.
Expert from Email Geeks explains that the reason cold emails often go to the spam folder, and refers to a resource for more information.
Expert from Email Geeks states that she cannot help clients get cold emails delivered and, depending on the company, will either turn them down or accept them with the caveat that she won't assist with cold email efforts and that her advice will be ineffective as long as they are using the same domains and resources as their opt-in mail.
Expert from Spam Resource suggests that while many engage in cold emailing, much of it ends up in spam folders. He declines consulting for those whose main goal is cold leads, as he views it as unsustainable compared to opt-in email practices.
What the documentation says4Technical articles
Documentation from SendGrid highlights email deliverability best practices that involve list hygiene and audience segmentation. This helps to ensure you are sending relevant emails to an engaged audience. Maintaining a healthy sender reputation, authentication and avoiding spam triggers are important.
Documentation from Spamhaus defines spam as unsolicited bulk email and details the criteria they use for blacklisting. Sending unsolicited emails, regardless of how common it is, can result in being listed as a spam source, impacting deliverability.
Documentation from Google Workspace emphasises that maintaining a clean and engaged email list, setting up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records, and avoiding sending unsolicited emails are crucial for improving email deliverability and preventing emails from landing in the spam folder.
Documentation from Mailchimp emphasizes the importance of permission-based marketing. Obtaining explicit consent from recipients before sending emails ensures better engagement and avoids being flagged as spam. Permission signifies that the recipient is interested in receiving your communications.