How to: write an outreach email 📧
(That doesn't make people cringe)
If you’re looking for a job, new clients, or just want to chat to someone you admire - this one’s for you.
Let’s be real: cold outreach feels awkward. You’re sliding into someone’s inbox, uninvited, hoping they’ll think “yes! I do want to talk to this stranger.” But here’s the thing — it actually works.
Most people don’t get flooded with great cold emails. So if you can write one that’s thoughtful, clear, and doesn’t feel like a LinkedIn bot wrote it — you’re already ahead of the game.
Here’s how to send a cold email that gets read, not ignored:
1. Do your homework first
Before you write a single word, do a bit of online sleuthing. What kind of tone do they use online? Are they formal? Funny? Super to-the-point? If someone’s posting memes on LinkedIn, you probably don’t need to start with “Dear Sir/Madam.” Match the vibe!
Also: what kind of work do they do? Who have they collaborated with? What might they actually need help with?
✅ “I saw you’ve been working with [Brand] lately - would love to support on anything similar coming up.”
❌ “Hi there, I do everything for everyone - hire me?”
2. Say hi like a human because, er, you are one
Start with something real. Mention how you found them, what you liked, or why you're reaching out. Not in a creepy way - in an “I did my homework and think you’re cool” way.
✅ “Came across your portfolio via [thing], and loved the [specific thing you liked].”
❌ “To whom it may concern…”
Obviously, you can use Chat GPT to help you with this bit - but make sure you tweak it to make it sound more like you. Authenticity = THE KEY.
3. Get to the point
Say who you are, what you do, and why you’re emailing - ideally in one short paragraph. No life stories. No humblebrags. Just the good bits.
✅ “I’m a junior designer focused on branding + campaign work. I’d love to connect in case anything comes up or even just to hear more about your journey.”
4. Make it easy to click around
Drop a link to your portfolio, LinkedIn, or work examples. Don’t make them dig. Don’t attach a 50MB PDF. Definitely don’t say “just Google me.”
✅ “Here’s a link to my portfolio if you fancy a look: [link]”
5. Go for the soft ask
You’re not asking for a job, you’re opening a door. So frame it like that.
✅ “No pressure at all, just reaching out in case you’re ever up for a chat or have any projects I could support on.”
✅ “Would love to stay on your radar if anything comes up!”
6. Be brief. Be nice. Be normal.
The best cold emails feel like a friendly message, not a formal cover letter. Keep it short, proofread it, and don’t overthink.
Bonus move: follow up without being weird
If you don’t hear back, it’s fine to send a polite nudge a week or so later. People are busy. Emails get buried. A chill follow-up can be what gets you a response.
✅ “Hey! Just bumping this in case it slipped through. No stress if not”
You don’t need a fancy intro or an open role to say hi. Cold outreach is how loads of people get work, or at least, get seen. Be curious, be clear, and don’t be afraid to press send.