By the Outsquid team · · How we write
Cold email template when someone referred you
A first email that opens with the person who sent you, for when a contact suggested you get in touch.
When to use it
Someone the prospect knows — a colleague, a customer, a mutual connection — suggested you write, ideally having said so to you in writing. Only use a name you have permission to use.
The template
Subject[referrer's first name] suggested I get in touch
Hi {{firstName|there}},
[Referrer's name] at [their company] suggested I get in touch — [what they said, e.g. "they mentioned you're rethinking how your team books first meetings"].
We [what you do, in one line]. [Referrer's company] has been using us for [time] and [result].
Would you be open to a 20-minute call to see whether it fits {{company|your team}} too?
Other subject lines
intro via [referrer's first name][referrer's first name] said to write
Why it works
- The referrer's name in the subject is the strongest reason to open an email there is.
- It repeats what the referrer said, so the prospect can see why you were sent.
- A warm introduction can carry a bigger ask, like a short call.
Make it yours
The template is the frame. These are the parts that earn the reply:
- The referrer's name and, if they said it, why they thought of this person.
- Their own result with you, if they're a customer and happy to be named.
Before you send
- Fill in every [bracketed] part, and preview the email for a few real prospects — especially ones with missing fields. Writing follow-ups
- Send from a domain with SPF, DKIM and DMARC set up, and check it before the first campaign. Free DNS checker
- Ramp new mailboxes up slowly and keep each one to a modest daily volume. Ramping up a new mailbox
- Say who you are, give people an easy way to opt out, and stop when they ask. Unsubscribes in cold email