Getting More Positive Responses From Cold Emails

Cold emailing is still one of the most effective ways to reach decision-makers, especially in B2B outreach.

While most experts recommend short emails, our experience at Mumbo Leads proves that long cold emails can outperform short templates when done strategically.

This guide dives into how we get positive replies from long cold emails, why long emails work, and the process for crafting emails that consistently convert.

Challenging the Conventional Wisdom on Cold Email Length

Most cold email advice suggests:

• Emails should be no more than 3 paragraphs
• Keep it under 100 words
• Use ultra-short subject lines like "Quick question"

Blogs like Klenty, Woodpecker, and HubSpot reinforce this idea, and respected sales coaches like Josh Braun even recommend staying between 30–50 words.

Yet, at Mumbo Leads, we tested sending very long cold emails, 5-6 paragraphs or more, and discovered something remarkable.

They consistently generated positive replies.

Long emails allow you to provide context, demonstrate expertise, and show value, which short emails often fail to do.

Our Cold Email Experiments and Results

We ran tests across multiple industries. For instance, for a client in HR software, a concise email would fail to communicate the value of their all-in-one platform. Summarizing 10+ features in two sentences would make the product appear like "yet another competitor."

Instead, we wrote long-form emails that:

1. Addressed the major pain points upfront, such as wasted money on corporate coaching and low employee engagement
2. Explained how the client’s tool solves these issues comprehensively
3. Highlighted features using bullet points
4. Ended with a clear, low-risk offer, without explicitly asking for a meeting

The results were impressive.

The emails generated numerous responses from C-level decision-makers, heads of content, and solopreneurs even without a direct CTA asking for a meeting.

We replicated the strategy with different audiences and industries, and the success rate remained consistent.

Why Long Cold Emails Work

1. They Provide Clarity and Build Trust

Short emails can leave recipients confused. Long emails allow you to explain who you are, why you’re reaching out, and what problem you solve.

This builds trust and positions your email as relevant and thoughtful.

2. They Demonstrate Personalization

Shallow personalization, like "I saw your LinkedIn profile," rarely works. Long emails allow meaningful personalization such as referencing company-specific pain points, industry insights, or recent announcements.

3. They Deliver Value Upfront

In long emails, you can offer insights, mini-case studies, or suggestions before asking for anything in return. Providing value upfront increases cold email engagement and improves cold email response rate optimization.

4. They Filter High-Intent Prospects

Long emails naturally self-qualify. Only recipients genuinely interested in your solution read through and respond. This reduces wasted effort and attracts high-quality leads.

5. They Feel Human and Less Automated

Short cold emails are easy to mass-send and often feel automated. Long, well-crafted emails demonstrate effort and care, which encourages positive replies.

Our Process for Writing Long Cold Emails That Convert

Step 1: Define the Problem You Solve

Before sending emails, we conduct in-depth audience research. Interviews, LinkedIn, SparkToro, and client input help us clearly understand:

• Client offerings and features
• Audience pain points
• Market alternatives
• Target company goals

Step 2: Identify the Right Decision-Makers

We avoid siloed thinking, such as emailing only CMOs. Instead, we map the buying committee, including heads of growth, content, branding, or other relevant roles.

Step 3: Correlate Pain Points With KPIs

Understanding the KPIs C-levels are evaluated on allows us to frame emails around outcomes that matter most to recipients. This helps create emotionally resonant messaging that encourages replies.

Step 4: Craft the Long-Form Email Copy

With research in hand, we structure emails to include:

• Clear opening addressing a major pain point
• Personalized insights
• Demonstrated value through bullet points or mini-case studies
• Low-risk offer or next step suggestion

We focus on relevance over length, ensuring every word adds value.

Best Practices for Long Cold Emails

• Subject lines: Grab attention without being clickbait
• Structure: Use short paragraphs, bullet points, and headers for readability
• CTA: Keep it low-pressure, such as "Would you like more insights?"
• Personalization: Tailor to pain points, industry, and KPIs
• Testing: Experiment with different segments, lengths, and messaging

Conclusion

The success of long cold emails does not rely solely on word count. It depends on depth of research, audience understanding, and precision in messaging. At Mumbo Leads, we have proven that long emails can:

• Generate positive replies from high-value prospects
• Build trust and credibility
• Provide immediate value and insights
• Identify the right decision-makers

If you are struggling to get results with traditional short cold emails, consider testing a long-form approach that prioritizes relevance, value, and personalization. With the right strategy, your emails will not just land in inboxes, they will convert leads into meaningful opportunities.

Note: We have cracked the code for getting positive replies from cold email campaigns and can fill your calendar with 30–50 meetings every quarter.