6 tips for writing a cold email that actually gets opened

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Whether you're job-hunting, launching a business or steadily employed, cold emailing — for better or worse — is a must-know skill.

A few smart entrepreneurs weigh in on how to write cold emails that people actually open.

1. Simplify subject lines

Your subject line should both pique the reader's curiosity and provide practical information. "When people aren't busy, they're drawn in by subject lines that intrigue them," says Entrepreneur in Residence and Wharton professor Adam Grant. "But when they are busy, curiosity fades in importance; the emails that get read are the ones with practical subject lines."

For example, rather than saying "Amazing opportunity" (purely intriguing) or "Let's set up a meeting" (purely practical), say something like "Quick question to help us refocus our efforts," which incorporates a little bit of both.

2. Personalize it

"The kiss of death is a generic email where my name is in a different font and size than the following paragraphs," says Ivanka. "This happens more than you'd think — often for requests where someone is emailing their personal database and trying to personalize the message by adding my name and salutation of some sort. If a message has obviously been copied and pasted, it makes me want to delete it immediately." Add specific personal details, triple-check the spelling of the recipient's name — create an authentic connection with the person you're reaching out to.

3. Be upfront about your ask

"We emailed a handful of brands that we felt were really exciting to consumers," says Katia Beauchamp of her experience launching Birchbox. "We kept the ask super simple — we told them our idea and asked them to spend five minutes with us on the phone to hear about how we were going to re-imagine the beauty industry online." People are more inclined to answer your email if they know how much of their time and resources you're asking for right off the bat.