When it comes to cold email outreach, many people make the mistake of only sending one email and then giving up when they don’t get a response. The reality? It’s not always Email #1 that gets the best response rates. In fact, follow-ups can significantly increase your chances of booking a call and starting valuable conversations with potential clients.
In this blog post, I’ll break down the perfect cold email follow-up sequence, including how to space out your emails, what to say in each follow-up, and how to avoid common mistakes that could be costing you leads.
🎥 Watch the full video below to see it in action!
Table of Contents
The Right Way to Schedule Your Cold Email Outreach
Breaking Down the 3-Email Follow-Up Sequence
Email #1: The Introduction Email
Email #2: The Follow-Up Email
Email #3: The Break-Up Email
Common Mistakes in Cold Email Follow-Ups
How to A/B Test Your Cold Emails
FAQ
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The Right Way to Schedule Your Cold Email Outreach Follow Ups
Sending a single email and waiting for a response is a big mistake. People are busy, emails get missed, and sometimes, it just takes a little persistence to get noticed. That’s why you should always structure your outreach as a sequence rather than a one-off attempt.
Here’s how to schedule your cold emails for maximum impact:
✅ Email #1 → Acknowledge you’ve researched them, introduce a pain point, offer a solution. (Day 1) ✅ Wait 3 days ✅ Email #2 → Follow-up, remind them why you reached out, reinforce your value, ask for a call. (Day 4) ✅ Wait 6-7 days(to avoid overwhelming them) ✅ Email #3 → Break-up email: Ask for feedback, check if it’s the wrong time/person, invite them to suggest an alternative. (Day 10-11)
Each email serves a different purpose and is designed to keep the conversation going without being pushy or annoying.
Breaking Down the 3-Email Follow-Up Sequence
Email #1: The Introduction Email
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Your first email needs to clearly explain why you’re reaching out and show the recipient that you’ve done your research. Here’s what to include:
Acknowledge something about their company/role that shows you’ve researched them.
Introduce a pain point they likely experience.
Offer your solution and why it’s relevant to them.
End with a clear call to action (CTA), ideally booking a call. (Timestamp: 00:40)
This sets the foundation and gives them a compelling reason to reply.
Email #2: The Follow-Up Email
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If they haven’t responded, don’t panic—this is normal! Your second email should remind them why you reached out and keep the conversation warm:
Reiterate the value you can bring.
Mention your intention for the email.
Clearly ask for a call.
This keeps you on their radar without feeling repetitive.
Email #3: The Break-Up Email
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If there’s still no response, it’s time for a gentle exit strategy. The goal of this email isn’t necessarily to get an immediate reply—but to leave the door open for future conversations.
Acknowledge they haven’t responded.
Ask if it’s the wrong time or wrong person.
See if they can suggest an alternative contact or a better time.
Keep it polite, short, and non-pushy.
This email often gets responses from people who were interested but too busy to reply earlier.
Common Mistakes in Cold Email Follow-Ups
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Here are some big mistakes that stop people from getting replies:
❌ Not sending follow-ups at all – If you don’t follow up, you’re missing out on potential leads. Many people reply after the 2nd or 3rd email, not the first.
❌ Sending emails too close together – Spacing is key! If you send follow-ups every day, you’ll come across as spammy.
❌ Not personalising your emails – Generic emails don’t work. Use their name, mention their company, and tailor your message.
❌ Not having a clear CTA – If you don’t ask for a call or response, they won’t know what to do next.
How to A/B Test Your Cold Emails
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One of the best ways to improve your cold outreach performance is by A/B testing different approaches.
Here’s how:
Test different pain points in your first email to see which one resonates best.
Try different subject lines to improve open rates.
Experiment with CTAs (e.g., “Would you be open to a quick chat?” vs. “Do you have 10 minutes next week?”).
Track responses and adjust based on what gets the best engagement.
A/B testing helps you fine-tune your messaging so you’re constantly improving your outreach strategy.
FAQ
How many follow-ups should I send for a cold email? At least three emails over 10-11 days is ideal. Any more than that can be excessive.
What’s the best cold email follow-up template? Use our 3-step sequence outlined above: introduction email, follow-up email, and break-up email.
How long should I wait before following up on a cold email? Wait 3 days before Email #2, then 6-7 days before Email #3.
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