Ask for interest, not a meeting.
A first email that asks a stranger for 30 minutes asks for too much. Ask a question they can answer in one word, and book the call when they reply.
Two ways to end the same email
Asks for a meeting
Are you free for a 30-minute call on Tuesday or Thursday?
Half an hour from a strangerAsks for interest
Worth me sending the two changes that fixed it?
A one-word yesOn this page
A meeting is a big ask
Your first email reaches someone who has never heard of you. Asking for a call asks them to give up half an hour, open their calendar and agree to a sales conversation, all before they know whether you can help.
A question they can answer in one word costs them almost nothing. “Worth me sending the two changes?” can get a “yes” from a phone, between meetings. The call comes later, once they’ve said yes to something smaller.
The teardown
The same email, before and after. Tap or swipe the card to flip it.
How to rewrite your ask
Offer something small.
A two-line sketch, a short list, a two-minute video or one number. Something they can say yes to without a meeting.
Make it a one-word answer.
Yes, no or “send it”. If they have to think about their week to answer, you’re still asking for a meeting.
Ask one question.
Two questions make them choose which to answer. Most people answer neither.
Save the call for the reply.
When they say yes, send the thing, then suggest a time. Now the call is their next step, not your first.
Check your ask
Paste the last line or two of an email you’re about to send.
A quick word check, not a grade. It runs in your browser and nothing is sent.
Five asks to copy
Each one asks for interest, not time. Replace every field before you send.
Worth me sending the two-line version?
Want me to send the {{number}} changes we’d make to {{page}}?
Is {{problem}} on your list for this quarter, or not a priority?
Should I send a two-minute video of how it would look on {{page}}?
Are you the right person for {{area}}, or should I write to someone else?
Before you send
- One question, answerable in a word
- No call, demo or time slots in the first email
- Something small and useful on offer
- An easy way to opt out
UK rules expect that opt-out. In plain English: who you can cold email in the UK. Not legal advice.
