Using Openers Like a Pro: 7 First Lines That Turn Cold Emails Warm

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Let’s face it—most cold emails get ignored.

But why? Because the first line fails to grab attention.

In today’s newsletter, we’re diving into one of the most underrated levers in cold outreach: the opener. It’s the first thing your prospect reads (after the subject line), and in many cases, it decides whether they read on or delete.

So, how do you write a great one? By making it relevant, human, and curiosity-driven.

Let’s look at 7 proven first lines that have worked across industries and campaigns—and break down why they perform well.

1. "Saw you just joined [Company Name]—congrats!"

Why it works:
This line is timely, personal, and positive. It taps into a major career moment (job change) and shows that you're not just spraying emails—you’re paying attention.

Pro tip: Use a tool like Clay or Apollo to monitor job changes so you can strike while the news is fresh.

2. "I came across your recent [LinkedIn post/blog/interview] and really liked your take on [topic]."

Why it works:
It shows genuine interest in the person, not just the company. People like to be seen. Referencing content they created or commented on makes the email feel thoughtful.

Pro tip: Use LinkedIn or Google Alerts to find relevant content for each prospect.

3. "Quick question about how you're currently handling [problem relevant to your product]."

Why it works:
This opener goes straight into the business case, but in a conversational tone. It invites curiosity and frames the outreach around them, not you.

Pro tip: This works best when you're confident that the problem is high on their radar—use job titles, funding stage, or industry to infer it.

4. "Noticed you're hiring for [Role]—usually means [related challenge] is a priority. Sound familiar?"

Why it works:
This line ties directly to a company need. Hiring activity reveals priorities, and if your product helps solve a problem that new hires are expected to tackle, the connection is natural.

Pro tip: Track hiring patterns through company career pages or tools like Workello and LinkedIn Jobs.

5. "I work with a few [industry] teams like [Company A] and [Company B]—thought you might find this relevant too."

Why it works:
Social proof in the first line can boost trust. When you name-drop similar companies, it gives you instant credibility—especially if they’re respected in the space.

Pro tip: Be selective. Use companies that your prospect would recognize or aspire to be like.

6. "Came across [Company Name] while researching [industry trend]—love how you're tackling [X]."

Why it works:
This shows research and alignment. You’re tying your outreach to an industry trend while complimenting their approach. It flatters, informs, and aligns in one short sentence.

Pro tip: Use news articles, podcasts, or press releases as sources of insight when researching companies.

7. "I promise this isn’t a generic sales pitch—just wanted to share something specific to [Company Name]'s recent [product launch/funding/announcement]."

Why it works:
Calling out the fact that it’s not a mass email can lower a reader’s defense. Pair it with something recent and relevant to the company, and you earn a few more seconds of attention.

Pro tip: Use Crunchbase, TechCrunch, or company press pages to stay on top of recent updates.

Concluding

Your first line doesn’t need to be long.
It doesn’t need to be witty or clever.
It just needs to show the prospect that this email is for them.

Here’s the checklist you can use when writing an opener:

• Does it show you’ve done your research?

• Is it specific to them or their company?

• Does it spark interest or align with a real need?

You only get a few seconds to prove that your email is worth reading.
Make them count.

If you want to see teardown examples of real emails with winning openers, reply and I’ll queue it up in an upcoming issue.

Stay sharp,
The GTM Guild