#399 - The 1-Second Test: What Gets Your Cold Email Read (or Deleted)?

In this episode, Jack and Jeremy dive into the brutal reality of the one-second test that every cold email must pass. They explore the psychological and structural cues that influence whether a prospect replies—or hits delete almost instantly. Key Notes:  Why you only have 100 milliseconds to make a first impression The importance of email layout, subject line, and paragraph length How visual and sender identity cues (like avatar and display name) can make or break your outreach The red flags of impersonal or poorly set-up automations (e.g., email addresses instead of names) Why the first sentence must immediately answer "Is this for me?" The value of smart, skimmable call-to-actions and how placement affects response rates Why unsubscribe links, oversized signatures, and fake flattery can kill trust—and how to fix them Whether you're running outbound campaigns or fine-tuning your cold outreach game, this episode offers practical, nuanced tips to help your emails survive the one-second test and stand out in crowded inboxes. About the hosts: Jack Reamer founded SalesBread.com – the lead generation agency that brings B2B companies 1 lead per day by sending ultra-personalized LinkedIn messages and cold emails. Show listeners can book a free, 15-minute lead generation brainstorm session here: https://salesbread.com/contact/ Jeremy Chatelaine founded QuickMail.com – the most performant cold email platform to get replies, thanks to industry-leading features such as Deliverability AI and Advanced Stats. Start your trial today here: https://quickmail.com

In this episode, Jeremy & Jack reveals a powerful yet under-the-radar LinkedIn feature that transforms how sales professionals can target their outreach. They explore the possibilities and practical applications of this new discovery, comparing it to the psychographic targeting capabilities of early Facebook Ads. Key Notes:  The discovery of LinkedIn's “followers of creator” filter and how it mirrors Facebook-style psychographics How to find U.S.-based CEOs who follow specific influencers like Alex Hormozi Exporting search results to build targeted outreach lists The potential of combining creator-following filters to identify shared beliefs or preferences in prospects Real-world applications, including event marketing and webinar promotions Comparison between Sales Navigator and basic LinkedIn search features The broader implications for the future of LinkedIn’s ad and outreach capabilities This episode is a must-listen for sales pros and marketers eager to build smarter, more relevant outreach campaigns. Tune in and try out the filter yourself—you might just rethink your entire prospecting strategy. About the hosts: Jack Reamer founded SalesBread.com – the lead generation agency that brings B2B companies 1 lead per day by sending ultra-personalized LinkedIn messages and cold emails. Show listeners can book a free, 15-minute lead generation brainstorm session here: https://salesbread.com/contact/ Jeremy Chatelaine founded QuickMail.com – the most performant cold email platform to get replies, thanks to industry-leading features such as Deliverability AI and Advanced Stats. Start your trial today here: https://quickmail.com

In This Episode: Jack and Jeremy return from a break with a fresh teardown of a LinkedIn InMail pitch. They dive into whether the message hits the mark, who it’s really for, and how to make outreach campaigns more effective. It’s a fun, punchy critique packed with real-world advice for sales pros and copywriters alike.   Key Notes: The importance of clear value propositions in outreach messages Why lazy list-building kills good campaigns How to rewrite messages to include relevant personalization and social proof The role of silent objections and when to handle them in cold emails Whether certain low-ticket offers really warrant a call-to-action for meetings Tips for list targeting: looking for buyer signals like team size and premium usage The case for directing recipients to a high-trust landing page vs. asking for a call This teardown highlights how even simple offers require thoughtful positioning. Jack and Jeremy show that with the right tweaks, even a lukewarm pitch can be reworked into a compelling outreach message   About the hosts: Jack Reamer founded SalesBread.com – the lead generation agency that brings B2B companies 1 lead per day by sending ultra-personalized LinkedIn messages and cold emails. Show listeners can book a free, 15-minute lead generation brainstorm session here: https://salesbread.com/contact/ Jeremy Chatelaine founded QuickMail.com – the most performant cold email platform to get replies, thanks to industry-leading features such as Deliverability AI and Advanced Stats. Start your trial today here: https://quickmail.com

In this episode, we dive into a unique direct mail marketing piece targeting vehicle owners. We analyze its effectiveness, discuss how similar approaches could work in other industries like business brokerage, and break down the nuances of personalization, format, and copywriting. If you're interested in cold outreach or direct response marketing, this one's for you! Key Notes: A breakdown of a direct mail piece designed to buy used cars The impact of handwritten-style marketing and personalization How this approach could translate to business brokerage and other industries Strengths and weaknesses of the copy, including the use of urgency and credibility The role of objection handling in direct mail vs. email outreach The effectiveness of PS statements and how they can be improved The key takeaway: Less is often more when it comes to direct response copywriting This teardown revealed some important lessons in cold outreach and direct mail effectiveness. Removing unnecessary elements and focusing on clarity can make a huge difference. Tune in next time for more marketing breakdowns!   About the hosts: Jack Reamer founded SalesBread.com – the lead generation agency that brings B2B companies 1 lead per day by sending ultra-personalized LinkedIn messages and cold emails. Show listeners can book a free, 15-minute lead generation brainstorm session here: https://salesbread.com/contact/ Jeremy Chatelaine founded QuickMail.com – the most performant cold email platform to get replies, thanks to industry-leading features such as Deliverability AI and Advanced Stats. Start your trial today here: https://quickmail.com

In this episode, Jeremy & Jack break down and analyze two cold email campaigns, offering insights and feedback on what works and what falls short in email outreach. They dive into the importance of personalization, the power of a strong call to action, and common pitfalls in email marketing strategies. Key Notes:  - The importance of a compelling subject line and the impact of personalization. - How using "fishing for no" tactics in your call to action can be an effective strategy. - The role of a concrete case study or specific examples in increasing credibility. - Why emails that sound too generic or automated often fail to engage recipients. - The challenges of offering free services (like a 40-hour trial) and how to make such offers more appealing. - The negative impact of using a generic "from" email address in outreach campaigns. - How tailoring your email to the specific recipient and their business can make a huge difference in outreach success. The hosts wrap up by stressing the importance of authenticity and personalization in cold emails. By refining subject lines, call to actions, and the overall tone, email outreach can be more effective and less likely to fall into the spam folder. About the hosts: Jack Reamer founded SalesBread.com – the lead generation agency that brings B2B companies 1 lead per day by sending ultra-personalized LinkedIn messages and cold emails. Show listeners can book a free, 15-minute lead generation brainstorm session here: https://salesbread.com/contact/ Jeremy Chatelaine founded QuickMail.com – the most performant cold email platform to get replies, thanks to industry-leading features such as Deliverability AI and Advanced Stats. Start your trial today here: https://quickmail.com

In this episode, we dive into a rapid-fire Q&A on cold outreach strategies, covering everything from leveraging AI for personalization to optimizing LinkedIn profiles for better response rates. The discussion explores how sales professionals can balance automation and human connection while improving deliverability, personalization, and follow-up strategies.   Key Notes: How AI can enhance outreach efforts without losing the human touch Key differences between cold emailing and LinkedIn outreach in 2025 Optimizing LinkedIn profiles to support sales efforts and increase engagement Social selling techniques to warm up prospects before reaching out Strategies to avoid spam filters and improve email deliverability Personalizing cold emails effectively without crossing privacy boundaries The importance of balancing value and promotion in cold outreach With practical insights and actionable strategies, this episode provides a roadmap for sales teams looking to refine their cold outreach approach. Tune in to learn how to stay ahead in 2025’s evolving sales landscape.   About the hosts: Jack Reamer founded SalesBread.com – the lead generation agency that brings B2B companies 1 lead per day by sending ultra-personalized LinkedIn messages and cold emails. Show listeners can book a free, 15-minute lead generation brainstorm session here: https://salesbread.com/contact/ Jeremy Chatelaine founded QuickMail.com – the most performant cold email platform to get replies, thanks to industry-leading features such as Deliverability AI and Advanced Stats. Start your trial today here: https://quickmail.com

In this episode, we dive into effective sales outreach strategies, particularly when working with a limited number of new prospects. The discussion focuses on prioritizing leads, leveraging high-touch channels, and using engagement signals to maximize impact.   Key Notes: Why "response lists" are more effective than demographic-based lists for prospecting The power of high-touch outreach methods like phone calls, personalized videos, and in-person visits How to identify engaged prospects based on email opens and LinkedIn profile views The importance of making outreach feel personal and avoiding overly scripted messaging Creative approaches to stand out in a crowded sales landscape The evolving trends in cold outreach and why traditional mass-email tactics are losing effectiveness Best practices for balancing personalization and scalability in sales strategies By focusing on genuine engagement and strategic targeting, sales professionals can improve their outreach efforts and build stronger connections with prospects. Tune in to discover actionable tips for refining your sales approach.   About the hosts: Jack Reamer founded SalesBread.com – the lead generation agency that brings B2B companies 1 lead per day by sending ultra-personalized LinkedIn messages and cold emails. Show listeners can book a free, 15-minute lead generation brainstorm session here: https://salesbread.com/contact/ Jeremy Chatelaine founded QuickMail.com – the most performant cold email platform to get replies, thanks to industry-leading features such as Deliverability AI and Advanced Stats. Start your trial today here: https://quickmail.com/

In this episode, we conduct a deep dive into an SEO-focused cold email sequence, breaking down its structure, effectiveness, and areas for improvement. From subject lines to follow-ups, we analyze what works, what falls flat, and how strategic personalization could make all the difference. If you're looking to refine your outreach strategy, this teardown is packed with valuable insights. Key Notes Initial impressions of the subject line and its ability to spark curiosity. The effectiveness of using organic traffic signals as a lead-in. The value of visual elements like Ahrefs or SEMrush screenshots in email outreach. How messaging can shift to focus on the recipient rather than the sender. Analyzing the follow-up sequence and why it ultimately failed to build trust. The importance of specificity when discussing SEO opportunities. Alternative approaches that could have improved engagement and conversions. Cold email success relies on more than just persistence; it requires value-packed insights and genuine personalization. This teardown highlights the critical elements that can make or break an outreach campaign. Tune in to learn how to craft more compelling, effective messages! About the hosts Jack Reamer founded SalesBread.com – the lead generation agency that brings B2B companies 1 lead per day by sending ultra-personalized LinkedIn messages and cold emails. Show listeners can book a free, 15-minute lead generation brainstorm session here: https://salesbread.com/contact/ Jeremy Chatelaine founded QuickMail.com – the most performant cold email platform to get replies, thanks to industry-leading features such as Deliverability AI and Advanced Stats. Start your trial today here: https://quickmail.com

In this episode, Jeremy and Jack discuss the evolving landscape of email deliverability and why it's no longer a major concern for most sales teams. They explore how a shift in focus is needed toward refining your list and message rather than obsessing over deliverability, as the technology has already solved many of those issues. Key Notes Why deliverability is no longer a major issue in 2025 due to advancements in AI and automated inbox switching. The importance of having a quality message and a laser-focused list over relying on volume. Real-life examples comparing high-volume campaigns to low-volume, high-targeted campaigns, demonstrating the effectiveness of focused outreach. The shift from optimizing deliverability to improving your outreach strategy, emphasizing smaller, well-targeted lists. The role of AI in list cleaning, ensuring the right companies and people are being contacted. Message optimization strategies, including using social proof and adjusting the ask to increase engagement. Personalization debates—whether AI-based personalization improves response rates or if it’s better to keep things simple and direct. Jeremy and Jack wrap up by encouraging sales teams to prioritize understanding their market, focusing on the quality of their leads, and creating targeted outreach strategies. They remind listeners that deliverability is no longer a bottleneck—it's all about refining the message and the list About the hosts Jack Reamer founded SalesBread.com – the lead generation agency that brings B2B companies 1 lead per day by sending ultra-personalized LinkedIn messages and cold emails. Show listeners can book a free, 15-minute lead generation brainstorm session here: https://salesbread.com/contact/ Jeremy Chatelaine founded QuickMail.com – the most performant cold email platform to get replies, thanks to industry-leading features such as Deliverability AI and Advanced Stats. Start your trial today here: https://quickmail.com/

In this episode, Jeremy and Jack explore how traditional sales methods can be adapted to today’s business world. They dive into strategies that can enhance your outreach, from in-person interactions to innovative downsells and refining your pitch. Key Notes How Lunch and Learn sessions can be a fresh take on traditional sales tactics. Using alternative outreach methods like sending thoughtful gifts or offering value upfront when cold emailing falls short. The power of in-person connection—visiting potential clients or attending events to build relationships before pitching. Networking with competitors by becoming a customer of theirs or engaging in their communities to learn more about their audience. The benefits of downselling as a way to maintain engagement and create opportunities for future business. The need to adapt your pitch when the current approach isn’t working, with a focus on creativity and relevance. Why investing more in your outreach efforts can lead to better long-term returns, even if it requires more upfront costs. Jeremy and Jack wrap up by highlighting the importance of experimenting with different strategies and staying flexible with your sales techniques to meet your target audience’s needs. About the hosts Jack Reamer founded SalesBread.com – the lead generation agency that brings B2B companies 1 lead per day by sending ultra-personalized LinkedIn messages and cold emails. Show listeners can book a free, 15-minute lead generation brainstorm session here: https://salesbread.com/contact/ Jeremy Chatelaine founded QuickMail.com – the most performant cold email platform to get replies, thanks to industry-leading features such as Deliverability AI and Advanced Stats. Start your trial today here: https://quickmail.com/