How I Used AI to Write Cold Emails That Got a 60% Reply Rate (Step-by-Step Scripts)

How I Used AI to Write Cold Emails That Got a 60% Reply Rate (Step-by-Step Scripts)

Introduction

Last year, I sent 500 cold emails to potential affiliates. Guess how many replied? Seven. Seven. My pitches sounded like a robot wrote them (because, uh, I was copying templates from Google).  

Then I discovered how to use AI to write human emails—emails that got me a 60% reply rate and $8k in new partnerships. In this post, I’ll show you exactly how to do it—without sounding like ChatGPT’s evil twin. Let’s fix cold outreach for good."  

Body 

Step 1: The AI Tool That Saved My Sanity (And My Dignity) 

(Tool: ChatGPT + Personal Workflow)  

- My Old Mistake: Using AI to spam generic emails.  

- My Fix:  

  1. Fed ChatGPT my real LinkedIn conversations and past replies.  

  2. Trained it with prompts like:  

     “Write a cold email for eco-friendly product affiliates. Sound friendly, not salesy. Mention my dog’s obsession with chewing bamboo products.”

  3. Edited outputs to add humor and quirks (e.g., “PS: If you hate this pitch, I’ll send you a bamboo chew toy for your pet. No strings!”).  

- Key Tip: Never send raw AI drafts. Always add your voice.  

Step 2: The 3-Question Framework for Human-Like AI Emails

1. Question 1: “What’s their biggest frustration?” (Use AI to scan their blog/social media.)  

2. Question 2: “How can I mention this without sounding creepy?” (AI generates options; you pick the best.)  

3. Question 3: “What’s a weirdly specific compliment I can give?” (e.g., “Loved your post on kombucha SEO—almost spit out my drink laughing!”).  

Example:  

- AI Draft: I admire your work in the sustainability niche.

- Humanized Edit: Your guide to zero-waste TikTok hacks? Chef’s kiss. My compost bin thanks you.

Step 3: How to Test AI Emails Without Annoying People

- Toolstack:  

  - Warmer.ai: Personalizes emails at scale.  

  - Lemlist: Adds custom GIFs/videos (I used a clip of my dog destroying a bamboo toy).  

- My Results:  

  - Version A (Pure AI): 12% reply rate.  

  - Version B (AI + Human Quirks): 60% reply rate.

Step 4: The “Oops, I’m a Human” Follow-Up Trick

- AI Script:  

  Hi [Name], I’m following up because my last email probably got buried under 1,000 cat memes. If you’re still swamped, no worries! But if you’re curious about [specific benefit], reply with 🐶, and I’ll send over a case study.”

-Why It Worked: Playful + low-pressure.  

Conclusion

AI isn’t here to replace your personality—it’s here to amplify it. Start with one of these scripts, tweak relentlessly, and watch your inbox explode (in a good way).  

Your Turn: Try rewriting one cold email today using the 3-question framework. Share your draft in the comments—I’ll help you humanize it!"