Cold email isn’t dead—it’s just misunderstood. That’s the message from Adam Rosen, founder of EOC Works and a veteran of email outreach since 2014. In a recent conversation with Sales POP! Online Sales Magazine host John Golden, Rosen shared why cold emailing remains one of the most effective sales tools available, as long as you avoid the mistakes that sink most campaigns.
Protect Your Domain at All Costs
The biggest mistake? Sending cold emails from your primary business domain. “You’re risking your entire email reputation,” Rosen warns. One spam complaint can land your company’s emails in junk folders, affecting everything from customer communications to internal messages.
His solution: Set up separate domains specifically for outreach. If your main domain is company.com, register something like companymail.com for cold campaigns. Create multiple inboxes across these domains to spread sending volume and minimize risk. And don’t forget the technical groundwork—proper SPF, DKIM, and DMARC authentication is non-negotiable.
Connection Before Conversion
Rosen challenges the aggressive “close at all costs” mentality that plagues sales outreach. “Cold email is about connecting two parties who could benefit from knowing each other,” he explains. Whether you’re seeking customers, advisors, or partners, the goal is relationship-building, not manipulation.
This means doing your homework. Research recipients. Understand their challenges. Then craft messages that offer genuine value rather than clever tricks or gimmicks. No fake testimonials, no misleading subject lines, and definitely no unsolicited calendar invites—a practice Rosen calls “disrespectful of people’s time.”
The Power of Honesty
In an inbox flooded with spam, authenticity cuts through. Rosen advocates for straightforward emails that clearly state who you are, why you’re reaching out, and what you’re offering. Back up your claims with real social proof—case studies, testimonials, and actual results.
The structure matters too. Start with a personalized greeting that shows you’ve done research. Briefly introduce yourself and your purpose. Present your value proposition clearly. Include relevant proof points. Then suggest a low-friction next step, such as a quick reply or a short call.
Focus and Patience for Startups
For early-stage companies, Rosen offers pointed advice: Pick one marketing channel and commit to it. “Trying to master everything leads to mediocre results everywhere,” he notes. Choose the channel that fits your audience and resources—whether that’s cold email, LinkedIn, or content marketing—then give it time to work.
Let market feedback guide you toward your ideal customers rather than making assumptions upfront. Track results, iterate based on data, and be patient. Building real traction takes consistency and time.
The Remote Advantage
Rosen practices what he preaches about modern work. After selling his first company, he co-founded EOC Works with a partner in Italy, building the business while traveling globally. This approach gives him access to worldwide talent, diverse perspectives, and the flexibility to work from anywhere.
Cold emailing continues to deliver results for those willing to approach it strategically. The key is protecting your infrastructure, prioritizing genuine connection, and committing to honesty over gimmicks. In 2026, that’s how you stand out.
Our Host
John is the Amazon bestselling author of Winning the Battle for Sales: Lessons on Closing Every Deal from the World’s Greatest Military Victories and Social Upheaval: How to Win at Social Selling. A globally acknowledged Sales & Marketing thought leader, speaker, and strategist, he has conducted over 1500 video interviews of thought leaders for Sales POP! online sales magazine & YouTube Channel and for audio podcast channels where Sales POP! is rated in the top 2% of most popular shows out of 3,320,580 podcasts globally, ranked by Listen Score. He is CSMO at Pipeliner CRM. In his spare time, John is an avid Martial Artist.
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