Key facts
- Keep a first cold email to about 50 to 120 words: three or four short sentences that fit on a phone screen without scrolling.
- Each follow-up should be shorter than the one before.
- Most people read email on a phone, between other things.
- A short email gets read to the end.
Why short?
Most people read email on a phone, between other things. A short email gets read to the end. A long one gets saved for later and forgotten.
What to cut
- Your company history.
- A list of every service.
- Opening lines about yourself.
- More than one question.
How long should follow-ups be?
Shorter each time. Buzz Drafts writes four emails per person, each a reply to the last and each shorter than the one before.
| Rough length | Job | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 50 to 120 words | The opener and one question |
| 2 | About half of email 1 | One new angle or proof |
| 3 | Two or three lines | Something useful, no ask |
| 4 | One or two lines | The polite close |
How to cut an email down
- Write it long
Get everything out.
- Find the one point
What is the single reason they should answer?
- Delete everything else
Especially the first sentence about you.
- Read it on a phone
If you have to scroll, cut more.
When does Buzzlist fit, and when does it not?
It fits when
- You want short emails written from each reader's website.
It does not fit when
- You need long formal proposals. Those come after someone replies.
Questions people ask next
Is a one-line email too short?
For a first email, usually. It needs a reason. One-liners work well as the last follow-up.
Should I add a signature with links?
Keep it plain: name, company and a postal address for CAN-SPAM. Source: FTC
Do longer emails look more serious?
Not to a busy reader. A specific email works better than a long one.
How long should a subject line be?
Two to five words.
Sources
Checked October 9, 2026. Rules change, so read the source before you rely on it. This is general information, not legal advice.