Key facts
- Cold email works at big companies when you write to the person who runs the team you help, instead of the CEO or a general inbox.
- Keep the email short, tie it to their part of the business, and expect a longer path with more people involved than with a small owner.
- The leader of the team that feels the problem you solve.
- A director or head of that team usually has the budget and the reason to reply.
Who should I email at a big company?
The leader of the team that feels the problem you solve. A director or head of that team usually has the budget and the reason to reply.
How is it different from emailing small owners?
An owner can say yes alone. At a big company, the person you email often needs to bring in others. Make it easy for them to forward your note.
Are the rules any different?
US rules are the same for any size of company: honest subject, your address and a working opt out. Big company mail filters can be stricter, so keep your sending clean and steady.
How to cold email a big company
- Pick the team
Decide which team your product helps most.
- Find its leader
Search by company size, industry and job title.
- Add one or two more
Find a second person on the same team in case the first is busy.
- Write a short note
Name their part of the business and ask one question.
- Follow up
Send a few short follow ups a few days apart.
When does Buzzlist fit, and when does it not?
It fits when
- You want to search by company size and job title.
- You want several people at the same company on one list.
It does not fit when
- Your buyers are outside the United States.
- You only sell through a formal bidding process, where cold email rarely starts the deal.
Questions people ask next
Should I email the CEO of a big company?
Usually not first. The leader of the team you help is more likely to reply and act.
How many people at one company should I email?
Two or three is a good start, each with an email written for their role.
Can I find people by company size in Buzzlist?
Yes. You can filter by number of employees, industry, location and job title on any plan.