A pattern-interrupt cold email asking whether the prospect or a colleague is the right contact. Never reads automated, earns a reply or a forward.
Template
Subject
you or {{colleague_first_name}}?
Hi {{first_name}}, wasn't sure whether to send this to you or {{colleague_first_name}}. Let me know if it's better suited to {{him_her}}. Either way: we recently helped {{case_study_company}} {{achieve_metric}}, and we'd love to do the same for {{company}}. Can I show you how we did it? PS, if {{colleague_first_name}} is the right person, would you mind forwarding?
Example
Subject
you or Jennifer?
Hi Max, wasn't sure whether to send this to you or Jennifer. Let me know if it's better suited to her.
Either way: we recently helped Northbeam generate $112K in net-new revenue from social, and we'd love to do the same for ABC Corp. Can I show you how we did it?
PS, if Jennifer is the right person, would you mind forwarding?Why it works
- The “you or [colleague]?” angle feels human and never looks automated.
- Drops relevant social proof, then a soft CTA.
- The PS ties back to the subject line and nudges an internal forward.
How to use this template
- 1Replace every
{{variable}}with details specific to the prospect. - 2Personalize the first line from real research, it's what earns the read.
- 3Keep it short (under ~120 words), and send the follow-up 3–5 days later if you don't get a reply.