The 1-Second Test to Save Cold Emails

Learn how layout, tone, and sender identity decide if your cold email gets read—or trashed.

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How can thumbnails increase email engagement?

Including a YouTube thumbnail can capture attention through visual cues and increase curiosity.

Putting a link of YouTube gives a thumbnail... visual cues straight away you look at it and you're curious.

Takeaway:
  • Use thumbnails to add visual interest to your emails.
  • Include engaging images that support your message.
  • Be creative with visuals to stand out in the inbox.

How do signatures affect email perception?

An overly long or corporate-looking signature can make your email seem impersonal and deter engagement.

Avoid massive signatures as well... massive signature already mentions this is corporate email... I'm not interested in conversation at all.

Takeaway:
  • Keep your email signature simple and personal.
  • Avoid adding too much information that can distract the reader.
  • Ensure your signature doesn't make your email look like mass outreach.

Why should you keep emails concise?

Long emails can overwhelm recipients and lead them to ignore your message.

The silent killer is the length of your email. If your message is too long... I'm on to the next thing.

Takeaway:
  • Keep your emails concise to maintain the recipient's attention.
  • Avoid unnecessary information that can be a turn-off.
  • Focus on clarity and brevity in your messaging.

How to handle anti-spam regulations?

Understanding anti-spam laws is crucial, but personalized cold emailing hasn't led to penalties for honest marketers.

Have you heard of any honest cold emailer getting thrown behind bars or having to pay some crazy... Has anyone paid a dime?

Takeaway:
  • Stay informed about regulations like GDPR to ensure compliance.
  • Focus on targeted, personalized outreach to minimize legal risks.
  • Don't let fear of penalties prevent you from effective email marketing.

Should you include an unsubscribe link in cold emails?

Including an unsubscribe link in cold emails can make recipients perceive your message as spam, affecting your reply rates.

When I see an unsubscribe link, I know it's cold outreach, and it dings... you want to reply less when there's an unsubscribe.

Takeaway:
  • Consider omitting the unsubscribe link in personalized cold outreach.
  • Be aware that unsubscribe links can signal automated mass emails.
  • Balance legal compliance with personalization strategies.

Can a PS increase email engagement?

A strategically placed PS can capture attention and make your email more engaging without overwhelming the recipient at the start.

If you actually change that flattery line into a PS right away, then it becomes way more acceptable... when I see it in a PS, I will read your PS.

Takeaway:
  • Place engaging content in a PS to draw interest.
  • Utilize the PS to add personal touches without disrupting the main message.
  • Understand the reader's scanning behavior to position key information.

Why can certain greetings trigger spam alerts?

Using outdated or formal greetings like 'Dear' can make your email seem like spam to modern recipients.

We've talked about how 'Dear' is a spam now. That's a rule. That's crazy.

Takeaway:
  • Avoid using formal salutations that can flag your email as spam.
  • Use more casual and modern greetings appropriate for your audience.
  • Stay updated on email etiquette to ensure deliverability.

How to personalize your email's first sentence?

The first sentence can determine if your email gets attention. The recipient should immediately feel that the message is intended specifically for them.

Is this message really for me? Or can I read that first sentence and understand that this was just sent out to business owners in the US...

Takeaway:
  • Craft a first sentence that resonates personally with the recipient.
  • Avoid generic openings that could apply to anyone.
  • Make it clear from the start that your email is relevant to them.

Why do sender name and avatar matter?

Your sender name and avatar can significantly impact whether your email gets opened or trashed. Small details like these can signal spam or authenticity to your recipient.

If you don't have a picture on the avatar, that's already a bad sign to me. It's like, oh, spam is coming.

Takeaway:
  • Set your sender name to your actual name, not your email address.
  • Include an avatar or profile picture to appear more human and trustworthy.
  • Avoid setup mistakes that make your email look automated or spammy.

How to pass the 1-second email test?

Grabbing your prospect's attention in the first second is critical for email success. If your email doesn't pass the 1-second test, it might be trashed immediately.

You've got about 1 second. That's all your prospect is going to give you before deciding whether to hit reply or delete.

Takeaway:
  • Understand that recipients form judgments within 50-100 milliseconds.
  • Optimize your email's visual cues, such as layout and subject line, for immediate impact.
  • Make the first impression count to avoid the trash folder.

Episode Info:

Title:
#399 - The 1-Second Test: What Gets Your Cold Email Read (or Deleted)?
Episode Link:
Keywords:
cold email, email layout, call-to-action
Episode Air Date:
June 25, 2025

Podcast info:

Show Name:
Cold Email Outreach
Author:
Jeremy Chatelaine and Jack Reamer
Owner:
Jeremy Chatelaine
Category:
Business - Marketing

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