The One Word That Kills Cold Emails
Words to avoid. Swap examples.
copywordsavoidWords That Weaken Your Pitch
Sounds apologetic. 'Just checking in' = you don't matter enough for a real reason.
Everyone says quick. It's meaningless. What's quick? 2 min? 5 min?
Don't open with an apology. You're offering value, not invading.
Weak. 'Hopefully this finds you well' - passive, forgettable.
Swap It
| Don't | Do |
|---|---|
| Just wanted to follow up | One more thing on [topic] |
| Quick question | One question: [actual question] |
| Sorry to bother you | I noticed [specific thing] |
First email structure: what to include. Subject lines: subject lines that get opened. What feels authentic: authentic outreach.
FAQ
Is 'just' really that bad?
In isolation, maybe not. But it primes the reader that what follows is minor. Your ask gets downgraded before they read it. Test removing it - often reply rate improves.
What about 'I hope this finds you well'?
Generic filler. Everyone uses it. Replace with something specific or skip the pleasantry. Get to the point faster - see what to include in first cold email body.
Should I never use these words?
In cold outreach, avoid them. In a warm reply or ongoing conversation, 'just' and 'quick' are fine. Context matters.