For companies offering cybersecurity services, cold email outreach is a tricky strategy to dabble in. It’s effective for connecting with potential clients, but there’s also a lot of nuances that make it challenging.
Since the industry is tied with strict regulations and high-security standards, it takes more than good email copywriting techniques to succeed.
Why cold email outreach is challenging in cybersecurity
Spam, phishing attempts, and malicious outreach are common even in the cybersecurity space. It’s difficult to build trust with cold email campaigns because your target clients can be:
- IT officers who already know what their security infrastructure needs. They are flooded with tons of emails on a daily basis. Plus, due to the sensitive nature of their role, they tend to be overly careful and selective.
- C-Suite executives who are not too well-versed in the technical know-how yet may need to be made aware of potential risks and threats. As a result, cybersecurity companies must have a much deeper understanding of the industry’s specific needs. They also need to be able to communicate this clearly.
Key characteristics of effective cybersecurity cold emails
Personalized and relevant to the target recipients
When it comes to the cybersecurity space, your prospects experience very specific issues and challenges. So it’s very obvious when you send a generic email that doesn’t address their specific issue.
However, sending a personalized email shows you care. That you took the time to understand their role, industry, and potential security challenges.
Builds trust and credibility
When you do a cold outreach for your cybersecurity services, you’re essentially asking decision-makers to trust you with sensitive data and security infrastructure. This, your cold emails must reflect credibility and authority.
Sometimes, the best way to build trust is by embracing your genuine passion to help. Empathize and show them you understand and can relate to what they’re going through. Then, present how your solution can help them while providing assurance on how your offer complies with industry standards and regulations.
Uses accurate language and technological know-how
In cybersecurity, your target prospects and clients are most likely already familiar with technical terms. You don’t need to use big and fancy technical words just to show you are legitimate and trustworthy.
On the other hand, if you’re targeting decision-makers who are not that involved in the technical aspects (such as CFOs), you should be able to explain complex concepts using simple words.
One way to do this is by focusing on the benefit. Don’t focus on discussing how your solution operates and enumerating its features. Try explaining and telling a story of how it can address their particular issue.
Key takeaway: Find the balance between demonstrating expertise and remaining accessible.
Common mistakes in creating cybersecurity cold emails
- Using too much technical jargon. It can be tempting to want to seem impressive and come across as an expert but too much jargon can actually turn IT decision-makers away. You will only look like you’re trying too hard to impress.
- Focusing too much on features and services. Talk about how your product solves their problems, not on how it works. Showcasing your product is important, but your recipient is more interested in how you can help solve their problems and not a spec sheet.
- Spraying and praying. Don’t send generic emails. Take the time to include certain details about the recipient’s company, industry, or challenges. Talk about a recent security incident, cite some industry trends, or discuss specific needs.
- Ignoring compliance regulations and security concerns. Your potential clients will likely be very concerned with compliance regulations (like GDPR, HIPAA, etc.) and ensuring their data will be protected should they decide to engage with you. If you ignore these during your cold email outreach, you’re essentially a red flag.
Best practices for writing cold email templates for cybersecurity
Start with an attention-grabbing subject line
For most industries, a strong subject line grabs recipients’ attention and encourages them to open an email. In the cybersecurity space, however, recipients are more vigilant. They scrutinize subject lines more, so you must create subject lines that are attractive yet don’t come across as a potential threat.
Examples:
- “Are You Prepared for [insert recent cybersecurity threat]?”
- “How Confident Are You With Your Cybersecurity Framework?”
Engage the recipient with the first line
Once your email gets opened, recipients will then be faced with the first line of your email. This can make or break your email outreach too. Hold their attention by tackling a specific issue they may be facing or a trend impacting their industry.
Example: “As [Job Role], you’re probably overwhelmed with [sample industry issue].”
Provide value right away
Instead of long and fluffy descriptions of your product, get straight to the point: how can your solution help them Present data points, case studies, or insights that demonstrate both your expertise and your passion to help. These also help position your company as a trusted industry leader.
Example:
“Based on our work with [Company Name], phishing attack success rates were reduced by over 30%. I’d love to talk to you about this.”
Don’t forget a clear Call-to-Action (CTA)
A CTA should be one simple action that directs the recipient on what you want them to do next. It should be clear and straightforward. Avoid multiple actions that could cause overwhelm and confusion.
Examples of strong CTAs:
- “Let’s schedule a quick call.”
- “Download our free whitepaper on the latest trends in security.”
- “Book a call here.”
4 cold email templates for cybersecurity that are ready to use
Template #1: If you want to introduce a specific solution
Subject: Protect [Company Name] From [insert specific cybersecurity threats]
Hi [First Name],
I wanted to take the time to reach out and personally introduce [Your Company]. We equip businesses like [Recipient’s Company] in proactively defending themselves against the latest threats in the cybersecurity landscape.
I would love to tell you more about how we can possibly help you with [specific cybersecurity concern]. Would [proposed day or date] work for you?
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Company]
[Your Contact Information]
Template #2: If you want to offer a free cybersecurity assessment (or any free tool)
Subject: Free [insert tool like Free Cybersecurity Assessment] for [Recipient’s Company]
Hi [First Name],
I noticed you’ve [insert relevant update]. With the increase in cyberattacks targeting businesses in [industry], I wanted to offer you a free cybersecurity assessment [or any other tool you offer]. It’s a quick, no-obligation audit that can expose any hidden security risks.
I’ll personally walk you through the assessment.
Feel free to book a call here. [Insert link to calendar]
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Company]
[Your Contact Information]
Template #3: If you want to target specific industries
Subject: Strengthen Your Healthcare Cybersecurity and Compliance
Hi [First Name],
The increasing threats targeting healthcare organizations is daunting. But there are solutions to prepare your company.
At [Your Company], we specialize in protecting healthcare organizations like yours against breaches and data leaks, all while maintaining full compliance with HIPAA and other regulations.
Let’s chat more about this! Are you available for a quick call this week?
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Company]
[Your Contact Information]
Template #4: If you want to share social proof of your credibility
Subject: How [Client Name] Achieved [Results]
Hi [First Name],
Did you hear about how [Client Name] reduced their security vulnerabilities by 40% [or insert any other case study or testimonial]? In doing so, they were able to prevent a major data breach before it could occur.
I’d love to go over this with you as I believe we can help you achieve similar results.
Would [proposed schedule] work for you?
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Company]
[Your Contact Information]
How Warmy can improve cybersecurity cold email outreach
When it comes to cold email outreach in the cybersecurity industry, delivering your message to the right inbox is crucial. Warmy ensures your cold outreach gains traction by improving deliverability with powerful features designed specifically for cybersecurity outreach.
Automated warmup process
The warmup process is critical for building a good sender reputation, especially for new or inactive email accounts. Warmy’s automated warmup increases the number of emails sent gradually while simulating natural email activity such as opens, clicks, and scrolls. Over time, this establishes you as a credible sender, increasing your overall sender reputation.
Template Checker
Coming up with a strong cold email that checks all the boxes is essential, but ensuring it doesn’t fall into the spam folder is even more crucial.
Warmy’s Template Checker analyzes your email templates for potential red flags that could trigger spam filters. Since this free tool points out common spam triggers (like excessive use of promotional language or suspicious links), senders can modify the content before sending.
Bonus: Warmy also has a Chrome Extension which enables senders to analyze their emails right within their own platform.
Email Signature Builder
An email signature is a small but powerful tool in establishing authority and credibility in your outreach. It’s also often underestimated, but the truth is—your signature can impact your deliverability too. Warmy’s Email Signature Builder helps you create a professional email signature that boosts your emails’ trustworthiness and inbox placement at the same time.
Free SPF and DMARC Record Generator
Failing email authentication checks is one of the top reasons why emails get blocked or tagged as spam. Warmy has a Free SPF Record Generator and a Free DMARC Record Generator to help remove this risk.
Warmy’s Free SPF Record Generator helps you generate a valid SPF record in seconds. Meanwhile, Warmy’s Free DMARC Record Generator helps senders create a valid DMARC record based on your email security needs.
Email Deliverability Test
Warmy’s free email deliverability test helps senders get a deeper understanding of where their emails land across various providers—and even the percentage of unreceived emails. The test also reveals if your domain or IP is listed anywhere on any blacklists. Email authentication settings (SPF, DKIM, and DMARC) are also checked if they are properly set up.
Ready to improve your cybersecurity cold emails?
Cold email outreach—especially in the cybersecurity industry—requires a careful approach. Warmy automates the warmup process. monitors your deliverability and improves your sender reputation to help you succeed in this industry.
It’s time to increase your chances of connecting with more decision-makers in the cybersecurity space. Sign up for free today and begin your journey.
