How to Create Your Own Consulting Cold Email Template Using the REPLY Method
Cold emailing is tough, and getting a response can be difficult. But with the best cold email template, you’ll have an easier time reaching your goals.
Rather than looking for a good cold email templates to copy and paste, focus on the fundamentals.
This article talks about how to create a personalized consulting cold email template by using the REPLY method.
Need Help Automating Your Sales Prospecting Process?
LeadFuze gives you all the data you need to find ideal leads, including full contact information.
Go through a variety of filters to zero in on the leads you want to reach. This is crazy specific, but you could find all the people that match the following:Â
- A company in the Financial Services or Banking industry
- Who have more than 10 employees
- That spend money on Adwords
- Who use Hubspot
- Who currently have job openings for marketing help
- With the role of HR Manager
- That has only been in this role for less than 1 year
Just to give you an idea. 
What Are Consulting Cold Email Templates? And Why Do They Usually Fail?
A template is a pre-made email that you can download and use to contact your leads. They are often based on cold call emails for sales that have worked for other people, which means they will save time.
The problem is that the average response rate to cold emails is only 1%.
If you are the type of person who always relies on Google when it comes to cold prospecting emails, I would recommend downloading effective cold email templates from various sites.
I used consulting email templates in 2017 that I thought would work. And when they didn’t, I tried other approaches to get salespeople motivated again with different emails and paid for expensive courses online. The humor approach wasn’t enough either.
None of my salespeople were motivated by money alone. I couldn’t figure out why.
Here’s the truth:
Cold email templates can be a great way to contact leads. It all depends on the context.
One of the problems with email templates is that they can be used by too many people, and because this happens a lot, it causes them to stop working. For example, I’ve received breakup emails from dozens of different women who all use the same law firm email template, which then gets deleted automatically without reading. This wouldn’t happen if everyone had their own unique email.
Many cold email templates are missing context. When sending an email, it is important to consider the industry and company that you’re targeting before crafting your message.
Salespeople who cannot do more than send cold email templates that work will soon be replaced by AI and automation.
Instead of blindly copying and pasting a template from the internet, you can take some time to learn about what makes your audience tick. This will help you tailor an email that speaks directly to them instead.
The Aim Of Your Consulting Cold Emails
How to write a cold email for sales? Every prospecting activity should follow this three principles:1. You need to know what you’re selling and why it’s the best option for your customer 2 2. Be respectful of their time, never call too early or late in the day (after 6pm) 3 3. Don’t ever forget that people are more likely to do business with someone they like
Dont prospect to make a sale, prospect to start a conversation.The goal of prospecting is not to sell your product/service.
Prospecting is not about getting a sale. It’s about building relationships and letting people know what you have to offer.
Approach prospects with a customer service mindset. You have something that will help them out, and they might be in need of your product or services.
You cant sell to someone if you don’t know what they need.
In order to sell, we must first show that our product or service can benefit the prospect.
A good cold email starts a conversation that eventually leads to the sale.
How to Write an Effecting Consulting Cold Email Template
We developed a cold call email template that has been used by both large and small companies alike. It is called the REPLY Method.
The REPLY Method is not a step-by-step guide to cold emailing leads. It’s an explanation of the principles behind it.
Successful consulting cold email can be broken down into 5 elements: a subject line, the lead paragraph, an offer in your second sentence or paragraph, some additional benefits of the product you are offering as well as some next steps.
REPLY stands for: Respect, listen to understand, and explore together.
- Results
- Empathy
- Personalization
- Laser-Focus
- You
Results Get the prospect’s attention
Prospecting is one of the most difficult parts of a salesperson’s job. It can be hard to get prospects from “what are you offering me?” to even considering what your product or service could do for them.
When you’re trying to attract new customers, they want to know what’s in it for them. They don’t care about how many LinkedIn followers or awards your company has – the only thing that matters is results.
Use relevant success stories and case studies to build social proof in your outreach. Emphasize how you can make the prospect’s job easier or help them grow their business.
Let’s look at an example of a consulting cold email.
What to avoid:
We are a small company that runs training and consulting services.
I don’t understand how the rep could have failed to mention companies like Google, Spotify, and Uber. It would have been helpful if he had shared similar examples of B2B sales.
Instead of talking about the trendy topic, they should have focused on how their strategy has helped clients like me.
What to do instead :
We sent this email, and it landed us a meeting because we shared our results with an organization in the same field. The case study is about another company that’s also trying to do good work, so they’re more likely to want what you have.
1. Focus on one main message per consulting cold email, no more than three sentences long 2. Use short paragraphs and bullet points to make it easy for the reader to understand what you are saying 3. Provide a link back to your website so that they can learn more about how they can help
- Prospecting is not about making a sale. It’s about starting an honest conversation.
- I’ve found that when you share a case study or social proof with someone who doesn’t know the company, they’re less likely to be impressed.
- Share your past successes with companies that are similar to you.
Empathy Show the prospect you’re one of them.
There are days when I feel as if the world is against me, and it helps to take a break from all of that by going out with my friends in sales.
My friends know what I’m going through, so they have empathy. When you feel understood, it’s easier to open up and share your problems with them.
I found that prospects will only respond to you if they feel like their job is valued and understood. They want someone who understands the day-to-day challenges of their position, so when they call your company or visit your website, it’s because you are speaking their language.
Empathy is a much-misunderstood concept in sales. It does not mean that you should feel what the prospect thinks if they are frustrated, but rather empathize with them and try to put yourself in their shoes.
You show empathy by saying, I understand how frustrating that must be for you.
Show the prospect that you know what it’s like to walk in their shoes.
Let us explore a few examples.
What to avoid:
The content marketing email I received did not address my challenges and the rep does not seem to care about what they are doing.
When I find articles like this, they are usually more helpful if it addresses the specific problems that my business is facing. For example, when you don’t have a marketing team to help with your editorial calendar, then finding an article about staying up on your editorial calendar would be very useful.
What to do instead:
One financial broker had a plan for law firms that was sure to work. They sent an email highlighting specific challenges with lenders, and it worked.
Here are the steps to take when crafting outbound messages:-Provide a value proposition. -State how your product or service can benefit them. -Explain why you’re reaching out and mention any points of interest from their website, social media page, etc.
- You should always address your prospect’s main problems before anything else.
- Don’t send sales emails that don’t answer the prospect’s questions about your product.
- If you want to learn more about your prospect’s challenges, ask clients what they think their prospects are struggling with.
Personalization Show you’re not a spammer and that your outreach was intentional.
There are a lot of Facebook invites that come from businesses to like their page or join a private group. I have noticed they often do not get accepted, and you probably don’t either.
I thought it would be a good idea to follow them and join their group, but I was not given any reason why. It turns out that personal connections with followers are more important than following the company.
Sending mass emails is the same as using a shotgun approach to marketing.
When it comes to personalization, you need more than just the prospect’s first name and title. You want them to feel like they are being addressed by a real person rather than an automated message.
People are getting emails every day. The average office worker gets 121, while busy executives receive 500+.
If you’re a small business, your biggest competition is not the other businesses in your industry. Your customers are already overloaded with noise from every direction, and it’s difficult to get their attention.
Show the prospect that you were thinking of them as an individual and not just another email address. The only way to stand out from all of the noise is by doing this.
Let’s look at some examples.
What to avoid:
I don’t know why they’re reaching out to me. There’s no personalization in this email besides my name, role, and company name.
How is the solution to my problem connected with a learning platform? What does this have to do with our training and consulting services?
What to do instead:
The email was not the best I’ve seen, but it deserves some credit for being well-researched.
The candidate took the time to read my LinkedIn profile, and he made a point of mentioning his knowledge about UFC fights.
This is a list of tips for outbound messaging:- Establish the goal and purpose of your message- Be aware that you are targeting an individual with their own perspective, background, and motivation. These means don’t assume they want to do what you think they should.
- When it comes to marketing, segment your target audience by industry niche, persona, or need. This will allow you to provide a more targeted message for the right people.
- When reaching out to potential customers, you need to have a conversation that is personal and context-driven.
- Personalized videos are a great way to increase the impact of your personalization.
Laser-Focus Get to the point.
Attention spans have been on the decline for a while now. In 2000, they were 12 seconds long, and today, that number is down to 8
Prospects are dealing with more distractions than ever. You’re no longer competing against your coworkers who may be chatting or playing on their phone during work hours; now, you have to compete with any notifications they set up, such as Slack and email.
Prospects are less likely to be interested in a product if they feel the salesperson is wasting their time. You need to have concise communication that grabs your prospect’s attention and keeps them from being dismissive.
For subject lines, keep them short and sweet. Try to limit the length of your email’s subject line to 7 words or less and personalize it with their first name or company name.
A few favorites:
- I have been researching your sales training company, Blissful Prospecting.
- Hi Jason, your mission to
- Hey Jason, I noticed
- This article is about __________ and how to do it.
- You’ve done a great job with [subject of content]
- [sales trigger]
What to avoid:
You probably skimmed the first five paragraphs of this article and got bored.
What to do instead:
This email is very straightforward. It tells the reader what they need to do and gives them a link to click on.
Here are some tips for outbound messaging:
- I would recommend that you keep your emails to under 120 words or 3-5 sentences.
- One of the most important things in a sales email is to be clear about what you want from your reader. Try using one CTA and being explicit with your ask.
- A prospect’s attention span is short, so if you don’t pique their interest in the first few sentences of your email or letter, then they’ll quickly lose interest. Provide context to ensure that what you’re pitching makes sense and provides value for them.
You Create the prospect of the hero.
The best advertising campaigns of all time share a common theme: they put the customer at the center.
Coca-Cola has a new idea. They are putting customers’ names on the cans and bottles of their drinks, which is making them feel special.
The Always brand of deodorant had a great commercial during the 2015 Super Bowl. They addressed how it is not cool to be like girls, and instead, they showed that girls are heroes.
The key to cold outreach is making the prospect feel like they are your hero. This will help them see that you want their business and not just for personal glory.
The most important thing to remember when speaking with prospects is that they don’t care about you, your product, or your service. They only want to know how what you have can help them solve their problems and succeed in the marketplace.
Here are some more examples of the consulting cold emails I’ve been discussing.
What to avoid:
The email that I received was about the accomplishments of this company instead of what they can do for me. They used I and we seven times in their message; there is not much mention of how my business will benefit from hiring them.
What to do instead:
The email has a strong focus on how the prospect can save time and money by choosing this company, which they were able to do for another similar business.
When you send outbound messages, there are certain things that will help make them more effective.
- When you’re pitching a prospect, don’t focus on yourself. No one wants to be the hero of your story, and everyone prefers being Batman over Alfred.
- Use “you” and “your” more than you use the word I.
- It is always best to remind the prospect what they will get out of this.
How To Create Your Own Consulting Cold Email Templates
You can now use the guidelines of an effective cold email to make your template.
Here is how it works:
[First name],
[Personalization]
The best salespeople have a deep understanding of the product and know-how to empathize with their customers.
In conclusion, it is clear that a paycheck does not provide the only motivation for people.
[CTA]
Let’s explore some ways in which this idea manifests itself.
Consulting Cold Email example #1:
I listened to your podcast on Sell or Die and found it very insightful. I agree with you that salespeople need more than just a paycheck if they are going to be happy in their jobs.
Hey Jason,
I listened to your podcast, and I really liked what you said about how video is a great way of grabbing the attention of busy prospects.
ABC video platform is a great way to cut research time in half. This can be really helpful for those videos you send out.
You might be missing out on potential opportunities because you take too long to produce your videos.
John
I have a challenge in my business, and I’ve created this email to provide an answer.
Consulting Cold Email example #2:
I was reading about Blissful Prospecting and
Hey Jason,
I saw your LinkedIn post on cold calling and found it helpful when you suggested that introverts should go out to socialize at a coffee shop before making their calls. I’ve never thought of this, but I think it might be useful.
The challenge that many sales trainers face is having to gather data on the prospect’s company and business structure. One way our ABC tool helps with this process is by getting your CRM up-to-date quickly, as it provides more reliable information than you would find through LinkedIn.
Would you be willing to chat with me for a few minutes about the current situation?
John
This email is just one small example of how to use LinkedIn in your business, but it does a good job of connecting with the reader and offering something that will be useful for sales trainers. It solves a problem and provides clear instructions on what you should do next.
Consulting Cold Email example #3:
Subject: Call coaching?
Hey Jason,
I liked your article on four ways to warm up cold calls. I really appreciated the tip about warming prospects by engaging with them before you reach out via LinkedIn.
It’s common for trainers to have trouble finding patterns in what their clients are doing well and where they need help. ABC Tool, a call recording analysis service, helps you by analyzing the recordings so that you can see how your client is performing on calls with little time commitment from yourself.
How do you coach your clients on cold calls?
John
This email references a personal connection and offers the client an individualized solution.
Remember that these are not templates but rather guidelines. The REPLY method will only work if you create your own template for each customer to meet their needs.
Don’t Forget To Follow Up While Consulting Cold Emailing Leads.
Now that you have an effective cold email don’t stop there. Be sure to always follow up with a second or third email.
One of the best tools you have at your disposal is to pick up the phone and call prospects. They may not be responding to emails, but that doesn’t mean they won’t answer a ringing phone.
It is important to stay in touch with people on a regular basis, but do not bombard them. 15 touches should be enough.
Nail Your Next Consulting Cold Email!
I am going to remind you of the basics of email marketing.
- Results that I have accomplished with other companies are as follows: Average customer conversion rates were at or above 8% for both new and existing customers. Sales average quota attainment was 107%.
- Empathy is the best way to start a conversation with your prospect. Lead by discussing their challenges and frustrations, then offer them solutions.
- Personalization is an effective way to make your outreach seem more personal and targeted.
- The key to effective communication is being concise and simple.
- It would help if you made the prospect feel like they are in control of their purchase, not that you have all the answers.
When you reach out to someone not expecting your call, the goal should be to start a conversation. A consulting cold email template will not get this done.
Need Help Automating Your Sales Prospecting Process?
LeadFuze gives you all the data you need to find ideal leads, including full contact information.
Go through a variety of filters to zero in on the leads you want to reach. This is crazy specific, but you could find all the people that match the following:Â
- A company in the Financial Services or Banking industry
- Who have more than 10 employees
- That spend money on Adwords
- Who use Hubspot
- Who currently have job openings for marketing help
- With the role of HR Manager
- That has only been in this role for less than 1 year
Just to give you an idea.