Hey Niepodam,

A rep from a team I'm training sent me their “killer” cold email last week.

It opened like this: “Hope you’re well! I know your time is valuable, so I’ll be brief…”

They meant to be respectful.

But here’s the thing: That line has been used in 100,000 cold emails. Probably more.

It doesn’t buy you time. It signals you’re just another seller in the inbox.

The problem isn’t just the wording. It’s the mindset:

You're still trying to earn attention. Instead of assuming you’ve already got it.

Flip the frame: Act like you’ve already been invited in.

That changes how you write.

Instead of: “I know you’re busy, but I’d love to grab 15 minutes if possible?”

Try: “Saw you’re rolling out a new SDR team, how are you enabling them without slowing down your closers?”

See the difference?

One’s apologizing. The other’s already useful.

Here’s a framework: the No-Fluff First Line

Your first sentence should:

1. Mention something specific they’re doing
2. Hint at the problem they’re probably facing
3. Lead into a question that opens the door

Example:

“Hiring 3 new AMs usually means deals are leaking post-sale, seeing anything like that?”

No intro. No “hope you’re well.” Just relevance.

Remember:

• Cut the pleasantries. You’re not a stranger. You’re a solution.
• Start like you already belong in their inbox.
• First line = trigger → tension → question.

That’s how you break the pattern.

Not by being polite. By being precise.

Alan "Modern Seller" Ruchtein.

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