Prompts for Cold Outreach and Prospecting




1. Personalized Cold Email from LinkedIn Activity

Prompt:

Write a cold email to {NAME}, {TITLE} at {COMPANY}. They recently posted on LinkedIn about {TOPIC}. Reference their post naturally in the opening line, then connect it to how {YOUR_PRODUCT} helps with {RELATED_PAIN_POINT}. Keep it under 90 words. End with a soft CTA (not 'book a call').


💡 Why this works: LinkedIn-triggered outreach gets 3x higher reply rates than generic cold email.


🔄 Platform tip: Claude tends to write warmer, more natural transitions between the LinkedIn reference and your pitch. ChatGPT is better at punchy subject lines.





2. The ‘Trigger Event’ Cold Email

Prompt:

Write a cold email to the {TITLE} at {COMPANY}. They just {TRIGGER_EVENT: e.g., raised funding / hired 5 SDRs / launched new product / expanded to new market}. Explain what companies at this stage typically struggle with, and position {YOUR_PRODUCT} as the solution. Under 80 words. No buzzwords.



💡 Why this works: Trigger events create urgency. The prospect is already thinking about the problem you solve.





3. LinkedIn Connection Request (Under 280 chars)

Prompt:

Write a LinkedIn connection request to {NAME}, a {TITLE} at {COMPANY}. Mention something specific: {SHARED_INTEREST_OR_DETAIL}. Do NOT pitch. Just make it human. Must be under 280 characters.



💡 Why this works: LinkedIn caps connection notes at 300 characters. Pitchy requests get ignored. Human ones get accepted.




4. The ‘Mutual Connection’ Warm Intro Request

Prompt:

Write a short message to {MUTUAL_CONNECTION} asking them to introduce me to {PROSPECT_NAME} at {COMPANY}. Explain why the intro makes sense without being salesy. Include a one-sentence blurb they can forward. Keep the message under 60 words.



💡 Why this works: Warm intros convert 5x better than cold outreach. Make it easy for the connector.




5. Cold Email for a Competitor’s Customer

Prompt:

Write a cold email to {NAME} at {COMPANY}. They currently use {COMPETITOR_PRODUCT}. Don't trash the competitor. Instead, acknowledge it's a solid tool, then highlight 2 specific capabilities where {YOUR_PRODUCT} is stronger: {DIFFERENTIATOR_1} and {DIFFERENTIATOR_2}. Keep the tone respectful and curious. Under 100 words.



💡 Why this works: Ripping competitors backfires. Confident, specific differentiation works.




6. The ‘Problem-First’ Cold Email (No Pitch)

Prompt:

Write a cold email to a {TITLE} at a {COMPANY_TYPE} company. Don't mention my product at all. Instead, describe a specific problem their role faces: {PROBLEM}. Share one insight or data point about it. End by asking if they're seeing the same thing. Under 70 words.



💡 Why this works: Problem-first emails feel like peer conversations, not sales pitches.


🔄 Platform tip: Claude excels here. It naturally writes in a more consultative tone.




7. Personalized Video Outreach Script

Prompt:

Write a 30-second video script for a personalized outreach video to {NAME} at {COMPANY}. Open with something specific about them or their company. Transition to one sentence about what I do. End with a casual CTA. This should sound like I'm talking to a friend, not reading a teleprompter.



💡 Why this works: Personalized video gets 3x the reply rate of text-only cold email.




8. Multi-Thread Outreach (Champion + Economic Buyer)

Prompt:

I'm prospecting into {COMPANY}. Write two separate cold emails:
1. One to the {CHAMPION_ROLE} (the daily user who feels the pain)
2. One to the {EXEC_ROLE} (the budget holder who cares about outcomes)
Each email should speak to their specific priorities. The champion email should focus on workflow pain. The exec email should focus on revenue/efficiency impact. Under 80 words each.



💡 Why this works: Multi-threading into an account from day one increases win rates by 30%.




9. Cold Email A/B Test Generator

Prompt:

I want to A/B test cold emails for {TARGET_ROLE} at {COMPANY_TYPE} companies. Write 3 versions of the same email, each with a different hook:
Version A: Lead with a pain point
Version B: Lead with a surprising stat
Version C: Lead with a question
Same CTA for all three. Under 80 words each.



💡 Why this works: Testing hooks is the fastest way to improve reply rates.




10. The ‘Breakup’ Email (Final Touch in a Sequence)

Prompt:

Write a final email in a cold outreach sequence to {NAME}. This is email 5. They haven't replied to any previous emails. Don't be passive-aggressive. Be direct: acknowledge you might not be a fit, leave the door open, and give them an easy out. Make it memorable. Under 50 words.



💡 Why this works: Breakup emails often get the highest reply rate in a sequence because they remove pressure.




11. Referral Request from Existing Customer

Prompt:

Write a short email to {CUSTOMER_NAME} at {CUSTOMER_COMPANY}, who has been a customer for {TIMEFRAME} and recently {POSITIVE_OUTCOME}. Ask if they know anyone at a similar company who might benefit from what we do. Make it easy by suggesting they just reply with a name. Don't make it feel transactional. Under 70 words.



💡 Why this works: Referred prospects close 4x faster and have higher lifetime value.




12. ICP Research Brief

Prompt:

I sell {PRODUCT} to {TARGET_MARKET}. Create a detailed ideal customer profile including:
- Company size (employees and revenue)
- Industry verticals most likely to buy
- Common tech stack signals
- Typical buying triggers
- Key job titles involved in the decision
- Common objections at each stage
- Where these buyers spend time online
Be specific, not generic.



💡 Why this works: A sharp ICP prevents wasted outreach on bad-fit accounts.


🔄 Platform tip: Claude gives more nuanced, layered ICP analysis. ChatGPT is faster for quick bullet lists.




13. Outbound Sequence Builder (5 Touches)

Prompt:

Build a 5-touch outbound sequence for {TARGET_ROLE} at {COMPANY_TYPE} companies. Include:
- Touch 1: Cold email (day 1)
- Touch 2: LinkedIn connection request (day 2)
- Touch 3: Follow-up email with value add (day 4)
- Touch 4: LinkedIn voice note script (day 7)
- Touch 5: Breakup email (day 12)
Each touch should build on the last. Don't repeat the same hook. Under 80 words per touch.



💡 Why this works: Multi-channel sequences outperform single-channel by 2-3x.




14. Cold Call Opening Line Generator

Prompt:

Generate 5 cold call opening lines for calling a {TITLE} at a {COMPANY_TYPE} company. Each line should:
- NOT start with 'How are you today?'
- Get to the point in under 15 seconds
- Include a reason for calling that's specific to their role
- Sound like a real person, not a script
Context: I sell {PRODUCT} and the main pain I solve is {PAIN}.



💡 Why this works: You have 8 seconds. Generic openers get hung up on.




15. Voicemail Script That Gets Callbacks

Prompt:

Write a 20-second voicemail script for {NAME} at {COMPANY}. Reference something specific: {SPECIFIC_DETAIL}. State one clear reason to call back. Leave my number at the beginning AND end. Do not sound like a sales robot. This should feel like a message from someone they'd actually want to talk to.



💡 Why this works: Most voicemails are deleted in 3 seconds. Specificity earns the callback.




16. Event Follow-up Email

Prompt:

Write a follow-up email to {NAME} who I met at {EVENT_NAME}. We talked about {TOPIC}. Reference something specific from our conversation. Suggest a next step that's low-commitment (not 'let's schedule a demo'). Under 70 words. Make it feel personal, like I actually remember them.




💡 Why this works: Event leads go cold fast. Follow up within 24 hours with a specific reference.



17. Prospect Research Summary

Prompt:

Research context for a call with {NAME}, {TITLE} at {COMPANY}. Based on what you know about:
- Their company: {COMPANY_DESCRIPTION}
- Their role: {ROLE_DETAILS}
- Recent news: {ANY_NEWS}

Give me:
1. Three likely pain points for someone in their position
2. Two conversation starters based on their situation
3. One insight about their industry I can mention to sound informed
4. Potential objections they might raise



💡 Why this works: 10 minutes of research beats 100 generic dials.


🔄 Platform tip: Claude excels at synthesizing context and producing nuanced research briefs.




18. LinkedIn InMail That Doesn’t Feel Like Spam

Prompt:

Write a LinkedIn InMail to {NAME}, {TITLE} at {COMPANY}. They {RELEVANT_DETAIL}. Make it conversational. No corporate jargon. No 'I noticed that...' opener (everyone uses that). Lead with value or a genuine observation. Under 100 words. CTA should be a question, not a meeting request.



💡 Why this works: InMail response rates average 10-25% when personalized. Generic ones get 1-3%.




19. Account Mapping for Enterprise Prospecting

Prompt:

I'm targeting {COMPANY} (a {SIZE} company in {INDUSTRY}). Map out the likely buying committee for {YOUR_PRODUCT_CATEGORY}. For each person, give me:
- Their likely title
- What they care about most
- The email angle that would resonate with them
- Whether they're likely a champion, influencer, or decision-maker
Assume a typical enterprise org structure.



💡 Why this works: In enterprise deals, you need 6-10 contacts. Map them before you start.




20. Re-Engagement Email for Dead Leads

Prompt:

Write an email to {NAME} at {COMPANY}. We had a conversation {TIMEFRAME_AGO} about {TOPIC} but they went dark. Don't be needy. Share something new: {NEW_DEVELOPMENT: e.g., new feature, case study, industry trend}. Make the email about them, not about us wanting their business back. Under 80 words.



💡 Why this works: Dead leads aren't dead forever. A value-led re-engagement can reopen 10-15% of stale pipeline.




21. Subject Line Generator (10 Variations)

Prompt:

Generate 10 email subject lines for a cold email to {TARGET_ROLE} at {COMPANY_TYPE} companies. My product is {PRODUCT} and the main pain I address is {PAIN}. Mix approaches:
- 3 curiosity-driven
- 3 personalized (use their name or company)
- 2 value-driven
- 2 question-based
Keep each under 7 words. No clickbait. No emojis. No ALL CAPS.



💡 Why this works: Your subject line is your open rate. Test multiple angles.




22. Industry-Specific Pain Point Generator

Prompt:

I sell {PRODUCT} and I'm prospecting into the {INDUSTRY} vertical. List 10 specific pain points that {TARGET_ROLE} at {INDUSTRY} companies face that my product could solve. Be specific to the industry, not generic. For each pain point, give me a one-line email hook I could use.



💡 Why this works: Industry-specific language shows you understand their world.




23. The ‘Give Before You Ask’ Value Email

Prompt:

Write an email to {NAME} at {COMPANY} that provides genuine value without asking for anything. Share an insight, resource, or benchmark that's relevant to their role as {TITLE} in {INDUSTRY}. The insight is: {VALUE_ADD}. Sign off warmly. No CTA. No pitch. Just value. Under 80 words.



💡 Why this works: Giving before asking builds trust and reciprocity. Use this as touch 2 or 3 in a sequence.




24. Competitive Displacement Sequence Opener

Prompt:

Write the first email in a sequence targeting companies that use {COMPETITOR}. I know they use it because {SIGNAL: e.g., job posting mentions it, tech stack data, G2 review}. Acknowledge the competitor without trashing them. Lead with a specific limitation of {COMPETITOR} that {YOUR_PRODUCT} solves: {SPECIFIC_LIMITATION}. Frame it as 'worth exploring' not 'you need to switch.' Under 90 words.



💡 Why this works: Competitive displacement deals close at higher ACVs than greenfield.




25. Batch Personalization Template

Prompt:

I have a list of 20 prospects. Create a cold email template with 3 personalization slots I can quickly fill in for each prospect:
- Slot 1: Something about their company (one line)
- Slot 2: A pain point relevant to their role
- Slot 3: A relevant result we've delivered

The template should work for {TARGET_ROLE} at {COMPANY_TYPE} companies. Show me the template and give me instructions for how to fill each slot in under 60 seconds per prospect.



💡 Why this works: Personalization at scale. Not fully custom, not fully generic.




26. The ‘CEO Quote’ Cold Email

Prompt:

Write a cold email that opens with a public quote from {COMPANY}'s CEO about {TOPIC}. The quote: "{QUOTE}". Connect the CEO's vision to how {YOUR_PRODUCT} supports it. Target the email to {TITLE}, not the CEO. Show you understand the company's direction. Under 80 words.



💡 Why this works: Quoting their CEO shows deep research and aligns your pitch with their public strategy.




27. Stack-Based Cold Email

Prompt:

Write a cold email to {TITLE} at {COMPANY}. I know they use {TOOL_IN_THEIR_STACK}. Connect their usage of that tool to a pain or limitation that {YOUR_PRODUCT} solves. Example: "Companies running Salesforce + Outreach often find that..." Under 75 words. Don't make assumptions about their experience with the tool. Use it as a conversation starter.



💡 Why this works: Tech stack signals are high-intent data. Use them to personalize at scale.




28. The ‘Shared Alma Mater’s Connection

Prompt:

Write a LinkedIn connection request or cold email to {NAME} who attended {UNIVERSITY/SCHOOL}, same as me. Don't make the entire email about the school. Use it as a natural opening, then transition to something relevant about their role at {COMPANY}. Under 70 words for email, under 280 chars for LinkedIn.



💡 Why this works: Shared backgrounds create instant trust. But don't lean on it too hard.




29. The ‘Podcast/Interview’ Approach

Prompt:

I want to invite {NAME}, {TITLE} at {COMPANY}, to be a guest on my podcast/webinar/interview series. Write the invitation that:
- Explains why I specifically chose them
- Makes it clear this isn't a sales pitch disguised as an interview
- Describes the format and time commitment
- Flatters without being sycophantic
- Makes saying yes easy
Under 90 words. This is a real invitation (and yes, the relationship it builds is valuable).



💡 Why this works: Inviting someone to share their expertise is the ultimate warm opener. The pipeline follows naturally.