Marketing & Sales · Tip
Tim Ferriss's Cold Email Template
A concise four-part email framework for reaching busy, high-profile people.
This cold email template is designed to maximize response rates from busy people by keeping the ask minimal and respecting their time. It hooks the reader by stating the message takes under sixty seconds, establishes quick credibility, and requests a brief answer to a single specific question.
How it works
Subject: [Short, relevant subject]
Dear [Name],
I know you're really busy and that you get a lot of emails, so this will only take sixty seconds to read.
[1-2 sentences max: State who you are and establish relevant context or credibility.]
[1-2 sentences max: Ask one very specific question they can answer right away, e.g., 'What book do you recommend to a first-time author?' or 'What advice do you have for someone new to managing teams?']
I totally understand if you're too busy to respond, but even a one- or two-line reply would really make my day.
All the best,
[Your Name]
What it's for
- Reach out to busy mentors or industry leaders for quick guidance
- Request podcast or interview appearances using a low-friction inquiry
- Ask high-profile professionals for specific recommendations or single pieces of advice
Key points
- Keep the subject line short, relevant, and direct
- Acknowledge their busy schedule with a sixty-second reading promise
- Establish your identity and context in one to two sentences
- Ask a single, specific question that can be answered immediately
- Lower response pressure by noting that a one-line reply is appreciated
Pricing
Free
Details
- Type
- Tip
- Category
- Marketing & Sales
- Topic
- Cold Outreach
- Open source
- No
- Platforms
- other
- For
- Entrepreneurs, creators, job seekers, and professionals reaching out to busy individuals.
- Tags
- cold email, outreach, networking, email template, productivity
Why it was saved
- @alexbanayan: It respects the recipient's time immediately, establishes credibility in 1–2 sentences, asks an easily answerable question, and lowers response friction with a humble closing line.
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