4 steps to cold pitches that get responses

Cold pitching often gets a bad rap, and not for no reason…

You send out 30 cold pitches this week, only to hear crickets. 

No replies, no leads, nothing. 

It’s frustrating, right?

And it can make a freelancer want to give up. 

But the truth is, cold pitching CAN work, when done strategically…

The problem with typical cold pitching:

You have to spend a lot of time and send A LOT of emails to get even 1 or 2 responses, and a lot of times your efforts go nowhere. 

The benefit of solving it:

You’ll not only get responses, but build relationships that lead to real opportunities, allowing you to expand your client base and land more projects.

Why what you’ve tried has failed:

You’re focusing on volume (aka mass, impersonal emails or DMs) without providing any value or personalization, and so you basically get no responses.

Here’s how to solve it: 

The key to effective cold pitching is in these 4 steps – 

#1 Research Your Target

Start by understanding who you’re reaching out to.

Take the time to research their pain points, their business goals, and how you can position your pitch as the PERFECT solution to their needs.

This is where having a niche comes in handy – you'll have a much easier time identifying unique needs an industry is currently solving for when you are specific. 

#2 Craft Your Message

Remember it’s NOT about you, it’s about them.

Most freelancers fail here by pitching their services, instead of positioning their offer as a solution to the client’s problem. 

Keep it short, to the point, and focus on the value you can bring.

Less is more here, but be as specific as possible about the problem you solve will make you more likely to stand out in their inbox.

Share social proof if you have it (like case studies or success stories), and end with a clear call to action (CTA), like scheduling a time to talk.

#3 Implement and Deliver

Now that you have a well-researched target and a thoughtfully crafted, personal message, you want to deliver your message in a human way.

So make sure your message is friendly, direct, and respectful of their time. 

No salesy language here – just an honest, solution-based offer.

And if possible, it’s always best if you can get a warm introduction from a mutual connection.

ANY connection, even a "friend of a friend of a colleague of a friend," is better than a totally cold lead!

#4 Follow Up Without Pressure

Just because you don’t get a response right away doesn’t mean it’s a lost cause – you need to follow up. 

But do so thoughtfully by sharing an additional insight, offering another solution, or providing a case study that relates to their business. 

(most freelancers skip this part and give up… which gives you a huge opportunity to shine here!)

The idea is to add value every time you follow up, so when they finally do read your emails, they’ll see you as the go-to solution for their needs.

- - - - - 

Cold pitching doesn’t have to feel like shouting into the void. 

When done right, it can be a powerful tool to build long-term relationships with new clients. 

By taking the time to follow the 4 steps above, you’ll be miles ahead of the most freelancers.

Try this approach in your next cold pitch, and let me know how it works for you! 

Best,
Jamie

Choose your next move:

• Stop undercharging → My FREE pricing mini-course reveals the exact framework that gets you premium rates.

  
  

• Ready to escape feast-or-famine? → Join The Freelancing Program and master the Client Domino System that turns chaos into consistent $10K+ months (1,000+ freelancers and counting). 

  
  

• Serious about scaling? → Let's build your custom $100K+ roadmap in a focused 1:1 coaching session.